Skunk Ledger

Skunk Ledger is a diverse blog exploring the intersection of society, personal growth, and philosophical thought through analytical essays, experiential anecdotes, and speculative fiction. It examines rationality, cultural narratives, entrepreneurship, and the human experience in both modern and speculative contexts, aiming to provoke thought and broaden perspectives.

Personal Growth Philosophical Thought Cultural Exploration Rationality and Decision Making Entrepreneurship Speculative Fiction Human Experience Societal Commentary

The hottest Substack posts of Skunk Ledger

And their main takeaways

Server (pseudoscience)

122 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🔬 Science Pseudoscience Beliefs History Studies
  1. Belief in servers as a virtual realm similar to an operating system is unfounded and considered pseudo-computer science by recognized organizations.
  2. There is a profitable industry selling products claiming to enhance bots' server relationships, with buyers often deceived by scams.
  3. Proponents of server theories face skepticism, especially in scientific studies that show inconsistencies and lack of evidence to support their claims.

Transcript of Occult Capital Office Hours: Pitching To Investors

215 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
😂 Humor Comedy Satire Parody
  1. In the world of occult entrepreneurship, it's crucial for teams to understand and address the five key pillars of building a 'vibrational solution,' such as leveraging stochasticity and demonstrating coverage without redundancy.
  2. Maintaining decisiveness and aligning with people's intuitions are essential aspects when making occult associations, ensuring consensus and resonance with users' perceptions.
  3. Integration with the divine, focusing on sensory experiences like visuals, auditory cues, touch, taste, and internal perceptions, plays a significant role in building a successful occult product or service.

Book Review: The Strategy of Conflict

102 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
📚 Literature Book review Game Theory Negotiation Psychology
  1. The book discusses mixed-motive game theory, which combines cooperation and competition.
  2. It explores the power of tacit bargaining and how abstract ideas like framing and quality can influence negotiations.
  3. The concept of commitments is highlighted, showcasing how manipulating incentives and creating a reputation can lead to strategic advantages in conflicts and negotiations.

Lactaid and Stevia

747 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
⚔ Fiction Sci-fi Short Story
  1. God provides answers and guidance in unexpected ways.
  2. Striving for an enlightened society can lead to technological advancements.
  3. Eventually, society may outgrow the need for certain foundational structures.

Scenes and Villages

337 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Communities Identity Social Dynamics Urban living
  1. Villages are communities you're born into, with a diverse mix of people and shared experiences.
  2. Scenes are communities you stumble into, centered around a specific interest or trait, with high standards.
  3. Scenes can be productive but may lack diversity and struggle with certain social functions, unlike villages.
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Dreams of the Collective Unconscious

133 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Literature Science Humor Religion
  1. Different groups have varying apocalyptic myths, reflecting societal concerns, even if objective data shows improvement.
  2. The world may be getting better in measurable ways but worse in ways that are harder to quantify.
  3. Apologetics involves trusting intuition and exploring underlying structures to understand beliefs and cultural narratives.

Superrational

266 HN points • 28 Jun 23
⚔ Fiction Fantasy Romance Drama Comedy Adventure
  1. Acting in a strategically rational manner can lead to optimal outcomes in conflicts.
  2. Being a perfectly rational economic agent can result in unique and sometimes amusing interactions.
  3. Utilizing game theory and rational decision-making can influence personal and relational dynamics.

Labelmania

71 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Creativity Identity Community
  1. The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon is noticing something everywhere once you learn about it
  2. Labels can unite people and multiple selves in creative work under one umbrella
  3. Labels offer a unique way for distributing work, curating, and building trust in creative communities

The After-Afterparty

215 implied HN points • 02 May 23
📚 Literature Fiction Humor Science Philosophy
  1. The protagonist wins a forecasting tournament and celebrates extravagantly with cuddle therapists and predictions.
  2. A confrontation with an archnemesis leads to a discussion on modeling uncertainties and reaching a consensus.
  3. A black swan intervenes to teach the importance of collaboration and addressing assumptions in disagreements.

The Monad Laws

143 implied HN points • 09 May 23
📖 Philosophy Diversity Equity Inclusion Justice Liberty
  1. Different perspectives in a relationship can lead to growth and understanding.
  2. Organic growth and unexpected success can bring challenges and opportunities.
  3. Unity and individuality can both have profound impacts on society and personal choices.

The Comet King From Unsong Is Kanye West

143 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Music Literature Religion Philosophy Journalism
  1. The concept of the Comet King from Unsong being compared to Kanye West is explored, drawing parallels between their stories and personas.
  2. Kanye West's album 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' is analyzed in relation to the Comet King's journey in Unsong, showing similarities in themes and character arcs.
  3. Symbolism and deeper meanings are uncovered in the comparison, revealing kabbalistic connections and the merging of good and evil through the characters of Unsong and Kanye West.

The Cult of the Ellipse

92 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
📚 Literature Fiction Religion Ceremony Mystery Tradition
  1. The Cult of the Ellipse involves rituals and ceremonies passed down through generations.
  2. The Sacrament influences societal norms and moral behavior over fifty-two-year epochs.
  3. Volunteering for the Sacrament is viewed as a mark of moral character and high integrity.

What To Do If Someone You Love Is Being Hot

102 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
😂 Humor Satire Comedy Parody Sarcasm
  1. Observe and gather information before intervening when someone you love is being hot.
  2. Experiment with different approaches like brooding, singing the blues, or documenting the situation.
  3. Consider embracing the situation, causing trouble, or even riding the edge to deal with someone you love being hot.

🩳

30 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
📚 Literature Poetry Fiction
  1. Creating a method of coding and proving the existence of at least one good code.
  2. Customs declaration regulations for items being brought into a country.
  3. A limerick commemorating the upgrade of Shanghai-Capella.

The Connoisseur

61 implied HN points • 02 Jan 23
  1. The writer explores modern culture with a mix of humor and introspection
  2. References to internet culture, politics, and popular trends are prevalent throughout the text
  3. The conclusion hints at a deeper message about authenticity and self-awareness

Beast Mode

40 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
  1. The narrator encountered the devil in a bar and made a deal to play a guitar competition.
  2. The devil and the narrator engage in various challenges, including spinning a pen and rolling a better joint.
  3. The narrator ultimately outsmarts the devil by challenging him to a Dance Dance Revolution competition.

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

40 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
  1. Skincare has advanced with the internet, R&D, and accessibility of products, leading to better skin health.
  2. Institutions and infrastructure are improving, becoming more accessible, safe, and predictable.
  3. Progress comes with the challenge of balancing robustness with efficiency, where systems optimize for efficiency in the short term but need resilience in the long term.

How to Write

51 implied HN points • 08 May 22
  1. Have interesting thoughts to write about
  2. Open your computer and start typing
  3. Write freely, rearrange, and then polish your work

Grant Application for Jordan 11s

40 implied HN points • 17 Jun 22
  1. The grant application is a request for $250 USD to purchase Nike Air Jordan XI sneakers.
  2. The applicant justifies the purchase by expressing a deep appreciation for the aesthetic and design of the shoes.
  3. The application humorously compares the potential impact of purchasing the shoes to other possible uses of the grant money.

The Vibe Handbook, Part Three: Practical Sorcery

30 implied HN points • 16 Sep 22
  1. Different cognitive strengths exist, like logic and vibe engines
  2. Practice 'woo' methods to tune into your mind and body vibes
  3. Engage in practices like animism, astrology, and decorating to mold environmental vibes

The Vibe Handbook, Part Two: Understanding the World Through Vibes

30 implied HN points • 10 Sep 22
  1. Language acquisition involves more than memorization; understanding context is crucial for learning a new language.
  2. Opinions and characterizations are more complex than logic; they are influenced by personal experiences and context.
  3. Vibes play a significant role in communication, governance, and regulation, impacting how people interact and make decisions.

The Vibe Handbook, Part One: Defining Vibes Without Talking About TikTok At All

30 implied HN points • 02 Sep 22
  1. Postrationalism involves stepping away from traditional rationalist goals and structures.
  2. Lindy and Chesterton's Fence play central roles in postrationalism; vibes are a key aspect not emphasized in rationalism.
  3. Vibes are powerful and represent the unit of human cognition, characterized by a complex internal tensor model.

2 Poems 1 Picture

20 implied HN points • 27 Oct 22
  1. The text shares 2 poems and 1 picture.
  2. The first prose poem describes a journey from madness to sanity.
  3. The second poem titled 'The Pariah's Prayer' delves into self-cancellation and seeking void.

wagmi? wagyu!

30 implied HN points • 19 May 22
  1. No matter the challenges, we'll make it through.
  2. It's okay to make mistakes and face setbacks.
  3. We're all going to be fine in the end.

omw

10 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
  1. The author travels extensively between various cities and plans unique trips for the future.
  2. The author shares experiences and observations about meeting people in different social circles while travelling.
  3. The author reflects on the peculiarities of air travel and the unique experiences and thoughts that come up during flights.

The Vista is Not The Terrain

1 HN point • 10 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Nature Society Art
  1. Pictures can't capture everything about a place, like the smells and sounds.
  2. In different locations, the perspective changes; in some places, you see scapes, in others, just stuff.
  3. While big questions and abstract ideas are discussed, everyday things like bus rides and guffaws are just as important.

The Big Red Button

1 HN point • 26 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Protests Game Theory Symbolism
  1. The event called Petrov Day was a big deal on campus, commemorating a Soviet officer's decision that prevented a potential nuclear war in 1983.
  2. During a parade for Petrov Day, protesters demanded the abolition of the holiday, arguing that it glorifies unsafe decisions and weak deterrence strategies.
  3. A mysterious man at the parade highlighted the significance of symbolic actions and collective beliefs in shaping behavior and understanding shared human values.

A Wearable Parable

40 implied HN points • 26 Sep 17
  1. In a competitive market, having a unique and specific product space can be advantageous.
  2. Iterating quickly, failing fast, and receiving mentorship can help in developing a successful product.
  3. Persistence, innovation, and seizing opportunities can lead to success in entrepreneurship.

You Might Also Like

0 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
  1. Enjoying small, simple pleasures in life
  2. Embracing creativity and self-expression
  3. Appreciating nature and physical activities

Encoder-Enabled Autoregressive Architectures for Oscarbait

0 implied HN points • 11 May 22
  1. Consider using encoder-enabled autoregressive architectures for generating content like novels or movie scripts.
  2. Utilize humor and randomness in creating content for a wider audience appeal.
  3. Be open to incorporating elements of existing works or pop culture references in your creative projects.

Hush Little Baby, Sheltered In Place

0 implied HN points • 22 Jun 21
  1. The poem humorously describes a series of items a parent might buy for a child during times of isolation.
  2. Each verse in the poem humorously addresses a different situation or trend related to the pandemic.
  3. The poem concludes with a witty reference to selling items online if the reopening continues.

So Good

0 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
  1. Bankman-Fried reflects on his journey in court
  2. Graphs show Terra's decline and logos of Voyager and BlockFi
  3. Moment of reflection between Bankman-Fried and the star witness