Polymathic Being

Polymathic Being explores a wide range of topics, intertwining insights from technology, innovation, philosophy, psychology, and more, with a focus on counterintuitive perspectives. It delves into societal behaviors, leadership strategies, the impact of technology and AI, personal development, and the intersection of science with everyday life.

Technology and Innovation Philosophy and Psychology Environmental Issues Leadership and Management Social and Economic Behaviors Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Health and Nutrition Personal Growth Cultural Studies Science and Engineering

The hottest Substack posts of Polymathic Being

And their main takeaways

The Successfully Unsuccessful

41 implied HN points • 06 Nov 22
  1. The article discusses the concept of being successfully unsuccessful and how it's a common yet frustrating behavior.
  2. Many people continue repetitive behaviors that don't bring success, yet are still rewarded for their efforts.
  3. The key takeaway is to acknowledge this phenomenon, understand its causes, and work towards organizational change to address it.

Religion as a Psychology

39 implied HN points • 11 Sep 22
  1. Religion can be seen as a psychology, separate from theology.
  2. Even atheists can exhibit religious behaviors and beliefs.
  3. Identifying atheistic religions involves recognizing key characteristics like apocalypse, original sin, and zealots.

The Climate is Changing

25 implied HN points • 20 Nov 22
  1. The baseline for measuring climate change needs to be carefully considered, as historical climate data shows fluctuations and extremes that challenge the commonly accepted start point around the industrial revolution.
  2. Selecting a specific baseline can create biases in climate science discussions, limiting exploration of alternative solutions and adaptation strategies.
  3. Adapting to climate change and rethinking our approach, rather than aiming to maintain the status quo, could lead to innovative solutions that benefit both humanity and the planet.

Yes, Do Quiet Quit

23 implied HN points • 02 Oct 22
  1. Quiet Quitting challenges the traditional idea of overworking for success
  2. Focusing on quality work within job expectations can lead to better results
  3. It's important to prioritize personal time and growth, instead of constantly chasing corporate expectations

Face the Fear

15 implied HN points • 11 Dec 22
  1. Understanding the fear of innovation is crucial to overcoming it
  2. Addressing personality differences, incentive structures, and system analysis are key for unlocking innovation potential
  3. Innovation requires a structured, disciplined approach in a chaotic environment
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Blockchain and Government

15 implied HN points • 27 Nov 22
  1. Blockchain technology has the potential to digitize various aspects of our lives, offering transparency, decentralization, and security.
  2. Blockchain analytics have been developed to combat illicit activities in the crypto world, allowing for tracing and tracking of transactions, which can also be used for legitimate purposes.
  3. There is a concern that government involvement in blockchain technology could lead to a loss of privacy and individual freedom, emphasizing the importance of setting clear boundaries to protect personal rights.

Embrace the Divergents

18 implied HN points • 18 Sep 22
  1. Everyone loves innovation until it creates risk. Innovation IS Risk. But, Risk can be managed!
  2. Manage innovation by embracing the divergents like polymaths, rebels, and futurists. Think innovation to unlock true capabilities.
  3. Innovation needs diversity, discipline, and risk. Align incentives to reward risk and failure. Balancing thinkers and doers is key to successful innovation.

Quantum Superposition and Politics

20 implied HN points • 07 Aug 22
  1. Life is not dichotomies or black and white; explore the nuances.
  2. Anarchism, socialism, and libertarianism have scaling limitations due to cognitive constraints.
  3. Avoid superposition dilemmas by applying a mix of political philosophies based on relationship dynamics.

Maturing Product, Process, and People for Startup Success

15 implied HN points • 30 Oct 22
  1. Transition from focusing on immediate feature releases to long-term planning for product success.
  2. Establish disciplined processes that are agile, aligned, and driven top-down.
  3. Recognize the need to mature people skills as the organization grows and balance different talents for success.

The Bane of Specialization: Defense of the Polymath

20 implied HN points • 17 Jul 22
  1. Specialization has challenges because it can lead to narrow focus and silos, hindering problem-solving in the modern world.
  2. Wicked problems are complex and interconnected, requiring diverse skills and perspectives to solve effectively.
  3. Balancing specialists and polymaths in teams can lead to better insights and solutions for tackling 21st-century challenges.

Investigating Personality Proclivities

17 implied HN points • 04 Sep 22
  1. Knowing yourself is essential for grounding, tempering, and utilizing your superpowers.
  2. Understanding personality profiles can help explain how you interact with others and why you may feel misunderstood.
  3. Exploring different personality tests can provide a more complete view of yourself and help you manage your proclivities in various situations.

Leading Without Authority

18 implied HN points • 14 Aug 22
  1. Authority in leadership is not just about enforcing obedience, but also includes delegation, permission, knowledge, and personal influence.
  2. True authority in leadership comes from the people you lead, not just from hierarchical structures.
  3. Leading without authority is a misconception - authority in leadership always comes from others, even in peer groups.

Direction, Energy, and Accountability

13 implied HN points • 23 Oct 22
  1. Clear direction is key for success, providing clarity and commitment.
  2. Adding energy to processes is crucial for maintaining and improving performance.
  3. Proactive accountability, setting expectations early, is essential for a high-performing team.

What Data Science Forgot

11 implied HN points • 13 Nov 22
  1. Data Science should prioritize understanding the data and aligning with business goals.
  2. Remember the roots of Operations Research and Statistics which emphasize answering why before the what or how, and working to disprove hypotheses.
  3. Address data quality issues, work to disprove hypotheses, and focus on carrying out analysis in line with business goals to add true value.

Process Surgery

13 implied HN points • 25 Sep 22
  1. Define the problem accurately before starting to improve processes.
  2. Select the right tools for process improvement carefully; new and shiny isn't always the answer.
  3. Ensure that process improvements are sustained long-term, just like a patient needs post-surgery care.

The Great Cover Up - A Band-Aid Paradigm

15 implied HN points • 01 Aug 22
  1. Address the root cause of a problem instead of applying quick fixes
  2. Continuously evaluate and eliminate unnecessary processes to prevent complications
  3. Focus on fixing the underlying issue rather than just treating the symptoms

Maximizing Authority through Leadership - Part 2

13 implied HN points • 28 Aug 22
  1. Maximizing authority through leadership involves maximizing authority from both the sponsor and the individuals in the team.
  2. Leading by example and being an enabler are essential for building authority with your team.
  3. Setting clear goals, giving respect, practicing management by wandering around are key strategies to maximize individual authority in leadership.

Maximizing Authority through Leadership - Part 1

13 implied HN points • 21 Aug 22
  1. Having a clear assignment definition is crucial for maximizing authority as a leader.
  2. Allocate resources effectively to set clear expectations and grant authority in leadership roles.
  3. Understanding stakeholders' involvement in an assignment can help leverage additional authority and navigate conflicts during execution.

Listen to Essays!

6 implied HN points • 09 Nov 22
  1. You can listen to essays on podcast platforms read by the author.
  2. The entire archive is recorded, so you can revisit essays anytime.
  3. Liking and reviewing the essays helps others discover them on podcast platforms.

Introduction

8 implied HN points • 17 Jul 22
  1. Polymathic Being explores counterintuitive insights across various domains.
  2. A Polymath is someone with knowledge across many subjects who can solve complex problems.
  3. The essays on Polymathic Being cover leadership, philosophy, psychology, religion, and technology.