The Thinking Bat Newsletter

The Thinking Bat Newsletter focuses on enhancing decision-making, critical thinking, and personal growth through the lenses of philosophy, psychology, and various mental models. It explores strategic thinking, the role of emotions and biases in decision-making, the impact of technology on modern life, and strategies for personal development and well-being.

Philosophy Psychology Critical Thinking Personal Growth Decision-Making Strategic Thinking Mental Health Technology and Society Cognitive Biases Emotional Intelligence

The hottest Substack posts of The Thinking Bat Newsletter

And their main takeaways

The (G)oldmine of the Internet

117 implied HN points • 15 Dec 20
  1. There are over 500 million blogs on the internet among 1.7 billion websites, making it hard to find valuable content.
  2. Quality writing can sometimes be overshadowed by SEO, affecting visibility and longevity of articles online.
  3. Google tends to prioritize new content over older, valuable articles, making it challenging to discover timeless pieces on the internet.

Get Bored The Right Way

117 implied HN points • 08 Dec 20
  1. Different ancient philosophies approach and deal with boredom in unique ways.
  2. Boredom can be more undesirable than physical pain for many people.
  3. Being mindful and finding curiosity in the present moment can help combat boredom and enhance well-being.

The GTD Framework

78 implied HN points • 20 Jul 21
  1. Procrastination can lead to anxiety and stress, creating a cycle of unproductivity.
  2. The GTD framework helps to organize tasks, making it easier to address them one at a time.
  3. Following the GTD workflow of 5 stages - capture, clarify, organize, reflect, and engage - can streamline task management and boost productivity.

Personal Rulebook

117 implied HN points • 06 Oct 20
  1. Personal values act as a compass for making meaningful decisions in life.
  2. True freedom is living by your own rules, not by rules set by others or having no rules at all.
  3. There is a distinction between good values, like honesty and charity, that are within your control, and destructive values that are not.

Intuition in Action

78 implied HN points • 08 Jun 21
  1. Intuition is fast, implicit knowledge that influences thought and behavior without conscious recognition.
  2. Factors that affect the reliability of intuition include expertise, time constraints, and the nature of the problem.
  3. Decision-making in unstructured problems benefits more from intuition, while structured problems may require analytical reasoning.
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World's Best Listener!

117 implied HN points • 22 Sep 20
  1. Journaling can significantly enhance performance and aid learning through reflection.
  2. Expressive writing in a journal can improve well-being after stressful events.
  3. Writing in a journal can improve communication skills and help with clear thinking and expression.

Introspection And Objects Around You

58 implied HN points • 26 Oct 21
  1. Objects around you influence your mood and behavior based on their shapes and colors.
  2. The environment you are in, including objects, deeply affects your emotional state.
  3. Your room is the most important place in your life; optimize it to improve your mental state.

Who Are You?

117 implied HN points • 15 Sep 20
  1. Identity is not fixed and can be reconstructed.
  2. Our professions, physical appearance, and even brain capabilities do not solely define our identity.
  3. Destructing current identity can create space for creatively defining oneself.

Forced Pessimism

78 implied HN points • 18 May 21
  1. Order is crucial for survival in a world of uncertainty.
  2. Science and civilization contribute to creating predictability.
  3. Pessimism can serve as a powerful problem-solving tool.

Mental Model: Map is not the Territory

78 implied HN points • 27 Apr 21
  1. Maps are not the same as the actual territory they represent.
  2. All maps, including Google Maps, are inaccurate because they are flat representations of our spherical Earth.
  3. In a world of curated media and false realities, remembering that the map is not the territory is crucial to understanding the world accurately.

DON'T IGNORE YOUR PAST!

58 implied HN points • 10 Aug 21
  1. Analyze your past to decode your personality.
  2. Birth order can significantly influence your adult personality.
  3. Childhood experiences shape complex aspects of personality.

The Unidentical Genders

58 implied HN points • 27 Jul 21
  1. Popular ideas can overshadow the truth, leading to misconceptions.
  2. Research suggests that the Big 5 personality traits are universal and have biological origins.
  3. Gender differences in personality traits are notable, with women generally scoring higher in openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism, while men tend to score higher in extraversion.

12 Categories of Interesting Ideas

78 implied HN points • 02 Feb 21
  1. The essay discusses twelve categories of interesting ideas.
  2. Each category provides examples of how different phenomena can be perceived.
  3. Readers are encouraged to think creatively and use these categories to innovate in various fields.

Metacognition: Benefits of Thinking about Thinking

78 implied HN points • 19 Jan 21
  1. Metacognition is thinking about thinking, it helps you understand your thought process and learning methods.
  2. Metacognition boosts self-awareness, leading to better emotional management and personal growth.
  3. Metacognition assists in making better decisions by helping you understand yourself and your desires.

Uncertainty and Anxiety!

98 implied HN points • 18 Aug 20
  1. You never have absolute control over your life due to the complexity of human society.
  2. Anxiety stems from a desire for control and certainty over outcomes, rather than focusing on the process.
  3. Controlling the process involves facing anxiety, assessing control, and creating action plans.

Live Life Like an Experiment

78 implied HN points • 24 Nov 20
  1. Live life as an experiment to take risks, learn from failures, and make calculated decisions.
  2. Living experimentally involves steps like asking questions, conducting research, forming hypotheses, and analyzing data.
  3. Use the experimental mindset to improve various aspects of life, from habits to relationships, and embrace the idea that not all advice fits everyone.

Cognitive Benefits of Exercising

58 implied HN points • 05 Jan 21
  1. Many adults don't meet the recommended level of physical activity.
  2. Exercising has direct cognitive benefits, like boosting brain size and neuroplasticity.
  3. Moderate aerobic exercise can improve sleep quality and memory consolidation.

Make Fun of Your Problems

58 implied HN points • 22 Dec 20
  1. Making fun of your problems can help you stop feeling intimidated by them.
  2. Humor can empower us to face challenging situations and find a sense of lightness in life.
  3. Having a humorous outlook can prevent self-sabotage and victimhood, leading to a more resilient mindset.

The Rational Way of Social Comparisons

58 implied HN points • 03 Nov 20
  1. Comparisons can be beneficial if you understand why and how you're comparing.
  2. There are personal and professional types of comparisons we make.
  3. Identifying the right metrics for comparison can lead to personal growth.

Circle of Intelligence

58 implied HN points • 20 Oct 20
  1. Intelligent people can also be socially awkward and make inappropriate comments.
  2. Being at the center of the circle of intelligence allows for a wider perspective and observation of arguments on the circumference.
  3. The closer one is to the center, the wiser they may be, avoiding the zapping effects of being on the line.

The Coin of Happiness and It's Two Sides

58 implied HN points • 29 Sep 20
  1. Happiness has two sides: 'Momentary Happiness' and 'Reflective Happiness'.
  2. Momentary happiness is about feeling happy in the moment, regardless of moral considerations.
  3. Reflective happiness is about being conscious of your happiness and whether it aligns with your values.

Mental Model: Second-Order Thinking

39 implied HN points • 25 May 21
  1. Second-order thinking involves considering the implications beyond the immediate consequences.
  2. The story of the prohibition era in the USA is a lesson on the importance of understanding second-order effects.
  3. To improve decision-making, ask 'And then what?', consider consequences over time, and use forced pessimism.

Procrastination to Productivity!

58 implied HN points • 25 Aug 20
  1. Procrastination is common, but acting instead of just realizing flaws is key.
  2. Understanding procrastination involves knowing how your brain works - it's not just about lack of motivation.
  3. Using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix can help manage tasks effectively and be more productive.

Evolution of Morality

39 implied HN points • 09 Mar 21
  1. Humans aren't inherently evil, they tend towards morally good behavior.
  2. Evolution of morality is influenced by the needs of a tribe: food, safety, and reproduction.
  3. Humans are tribal in nature, and this can lead to both ethical and immoral behaviors.

Socratic Questioning for Self Discovery and Problem-Solving

39 implied HN points • 17 Nov 20
  1. Self-talk and questioning help you reconnect with yourself and understand the direction of your life.
  2. Socratic Questioning is a disciplined way of asking questions to explore ideas, uncover biases, and re-evaluate personal values.
  3. There are six types of Socratic Questions that can help you gain clarity, sharpen your critical thinking, and become a better problem-solver.

Toxic Side of Postmodern Self Love

39 implied HN points • 10 Nov 20
  1. Self-love can prevent meaningful relationships by focusing too much on the self.
  2. Self-love can limit personal growth by discouraging self-criticism and recognition of areas needing improvement.
  3. Self-love can lead to entitlement, narcissism, and controlling behavior.

3 Reasons People Argue Online? And Here's Why It's Useless!

39 implied HN points • 08 Sep 20
  1. Online arguments can be toxic due to the Online Disinhibition Effect.
  2. People get defensive about their ideological identity on the internet.
  3. Trying to change someone's mind in an online argument is usually futile due to cognitive biases.

5 Mental Gadgets To Detonate Procrastination

19 implied HN points • 01 Sep 20
  1. Start your day by tackling your biggest, most daunting task first.
  2. Break down tasks into smaller steps to make them less overwhelming.
  3. Take the first step, even if it's just spending a few minutes on a task, to overcome procrastination.

What makes an Idea interesting?

1 HN point • 26 Jan 21
  1. Interesting ideas challenge preconceived notions.
  2. Emotionally attached audiences may resist new ideas that challenge their beliefs.
  3. Not all interesting ideas are true, so be cautious of misinformation.