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

The End of History

1241 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🚌 Education History Humanities Critique Academia Research
  1. Academic historians are facing challenges within their own discipline
  2. Researchers in London studied the impact of the Black Death on people of African descent
  3. There is concern over the misuse of historical narratives for social activism in academic research

Leslie's Razors

835 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy
  1. In philosophy, a \
  2. Have a bias towards ideas that have stood the test of time.
  3. When faced with choices, trust your past self over impulsive decisions.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Battle of Bamber Bridge

497 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
💾 History World Politics Military Racism Impact
  1. During World War II, American soldiers faced racial tensions in Britain, leading to a significant incident at Bamber Bridge.
  2. The interaction between black GIs and white Britons during the war had a positive impact on racial attitudes in Britain, reducing prejudice in the long term.
  3. The Battle of Bamber Bridge highlighted the stark differences in racial attitudes between the US and Britain, showcasing the impact of human interaction in challenging prejudice.

In Praise of Slow Learners

460 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🚌 Education Learning Strategies Personal Development
  1. Slow learners can develop valuable adaptive strategies to keep up with faster peers, sometimes surpassing them in the long run.
  2. Fast learners may be less incentivized to develop their 'software' intelligence traits, leading them to become gradually less effective over time.
  3. Choosing the slow route in learning can lead to better understanding, improved intelligence, and enhanced judgment in the long term.

Hitler's Willing Executioners

448 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💾 History Genocide Holocaust Antisemitism Nazism World War II
  1. Antisemitism in Germany was deeply rooted and violent, with a long history preceding the Nazi era. The widespread contempt for Jews eventually manifested in the genocide as an end goal, not just a regrettable task.
  2. Daniel Goldhagen's book 'Hitler's Willing Executioners' argues that Germans were not reluctant participants in the genocide, but willing and enthusiastic in carrying out Hitler's war on Jews, contrary to claims of coercion.
  3. The Nazi era demonstrated a genocidal impulse where killing became an end in itself, bringing about a society where Jews were considered 'socially dead people', subjected to extreme cruelty and violence with the active participation and consent of ordinary Germans.

The Google Gemini Debacle Shows Us Why Office Politics Matters More Than Ever

393 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Culture Workplace Values
  1. Understanding the cultural and political worldview of staff compared to users is critical for companies, especially in today's politicized environment.
  2. AI companies need to consider and be transparent about their cultural politics to address the challenge of aligning AI values with those of society.
  3. The alignment problem for AI companies extends beyond just aligning values with humanity, and it involves understanding different clusters of values and varying cultural perspectives.

Seduced By The Machine

368 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Values Metrics Autonomy Technology Happiness
  1. Humans are becoming more like machines by allowing apps and corporations to define their values and goals.
  2. Metrics and rankings from technology and organizations can shape our values, making us prioritize quantifiable standards over personal fulfillment.
  3. Value capture by external agents can lead to a loss of individuality and hinder personal growth, as people conform to standardized metrics and neglect their unique aspirations.

On Certain Asymmetries

319 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Israel Hamas Conflict Symmetry Media
  1. Many commentators focus on Israel's strategy in the conflict, but few ask about Hamas' endgame, which involves the elimination of Jews.
  2. The Israel-Hamas conflict showcases different objectives, with Israel aiming to secure its borders while Hamas seeks to destroy Israel completely.
  3. There is an asymmetry in the way Western leftists address the conflict, often failing to condemn Hamas's actions and aims explicitly, which is necessary for credible criticism of Israel's actions.

How to process news of the Israel-Hamas conflict

301 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Conflicts Global relations Information processing
  1. Processing news about the Israel-Hamas conflict can be challenging due to its complex moral aspects and historical context.
  2. The conflict is rooted in decades and centuries of contested history that many people may not fully understand.
  3. Global polarization and misinformation make it difficult to get an accurate picture of the Israel-Hamas situation.

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.

How To Swear At Your Coworkers

288 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Leadership Crisis Management Workplace culture Decision-making
  1. The use of swearing in the workplace can indicate a lack of self-discipline and quality of thought.
  2. Swearing, when used strategically and thoughtfully, can be a powerful tool for impactful communication.
  3. Maintaining a balance between reasonableness and assertiveness is crucial, knowing when to speak up even if it requires using strong language.

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.

Notes on Radiohead

270 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎶 Music Bands Podcasts Pop Albums
  1. Radiohead is known for their unique music style that is complex and emotionally resonant.
  2. Radiohead's focus on albums over hit singles sets them apart from other bands.
  3. Radiohead's success lies in their ability to maintain a vast audience while following their artistic instincts.

Len vs Glenn

270 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Collaboration Performance Creativity
  1. Leonard Bernstein and Glenn Gould were unique artists who embraced new ideas and media.
  2. Bernstein and Gould had a productive disagreement over the interpretation of Brahms' first Piano Concerto.
  3. Bernstein's handling of the crisis with Gould shows the value of open discussions and learning from disagreements.

Five Myths About Trump

245 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Policy Immigration Voters Partisanship
  1. Trump's enduring appeal goes beyond just being a culture warrior.
  2. Trump's victory in 2016 and his support in 2020 was driven by clear policy promises, not just chaos or divisiveness.
  3. Immigration is a significant issue that impacts voters, and Trump's focus on policies rather than theatrics won him support.

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.

Winners and Losers

239 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Impact
  1. Life is not always a zero-sum game where one side's gain is another's loss.
  2. Economic growth and innovation can lead to a non-zero-sum situation where everyone benefits.
  3. The zero-sum mindset can influence politics and cultural attitudes, impacting views on income distribution and societal dynamics.

Barbearheimer

233 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Film Comedy Media Entertainment
  1. Barbie is meant to be enjoyed as a light-hearted, funny film, not a serious commentary on feminism or capitalism.
  2. The movie tackles deep themes indirectly, teasing them, and treating intellectual ideas playfully.
  3. Barbie challenges the perception of comedy as less important than serious films, showcasing the complexity and skill required to make audiences laugh.

Can we blame Sam Bankman-Fried's parents for Sam Bankman-Fried?

233 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
💼 Business Crime Ethics Regulations Wealth Legal
  1. Sam Bankman-Fried's parents are involved in a lawsuit alleging illegal activities with their son, suggesting a questionable ethical example.
  2. The topic of blame for crimes and misdemeanors is controversial and involves considerations of environmental and situational factors.
  3. Ethical debates discuss the concept of blame and whether individuals have true free will to be held accountable for their actions.

How To Fix DEI

233 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💼 Business Diversity Inclusion Workplace culture Social justice
  1. Define Your Goals clearly for your DEI program to ensure it meets tangible needs and is not just a checkbox exercise.
  2. Focus on Actions Over Symbols in your DEI efforts by making substantial changes like Saatchi and Saatchi's talent pool expansion initiative.
  3. Simplify Ruthlessly and favor Universal Solutions to avoid getting lost in complexity and ensure the maximum impact while cutting across identity boundaries.

Special Edition: John and Paul

233 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
📚 Literature Books Authors Music
  1. The author is writing a book about John and Paul from The Beatles, with insights that appeal to both fans and newcomers.
  2. Paid subscribers of The Ruffian will receive exclusive content related to the upcoming book in 2024.
  3. Those with a Founding Member/God Tier subscription may receive a signed copy of the book pre-publication.

Opposites Attract

221 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender divide Public Discourse Relationships
  1. There is a growing gender divide in politics with young women leaning more liberal and young men staying more conservative.
  2. Having different political views in relationships can lead to more interesting discussions and better critical thinking.
  3. The trend of a political rift between genders may actually lead to a more profound form of dialogue and connection, promoting viewpoint diversity.

The State of the Culture Is...Not Bad, Actually

215 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Film Music Art Literature TV
  1. Hollywood is showing signs of a mini-renaissance with a recent surge in quality films and more diverse storytelling, bucking the trend of blockbuster dominance.
  2. While concerns about a decline in mainstream culture persist, there are still pockets of innovation and quality in mediums like books, TV, music, and film, hinting at a complex and multifaceted cultural landscape.
  3. Previous golden ages in commercial art forms, like Hollywood in the 1970s, have occurred during periods of transition and uncertainty, suggesting that creativity flourishes when traditional norms are disrupted.

Delusional self-belief is a superpower until it's a disaster

190 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership Presidential Campaigns Political strategy Election Analysis
  1. Delusional self-belief can be a powerful asset but can also lead to disaster.
  2. A certain level of self-deception is common and can contribute to human happiness and progress.
  3. Successful politicians often exhibit a mix of delusions of grandeur and the ability to align with reality, which can be a crucial element in leadership.

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.

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.