The hottest Knowledge Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Misinformation is at Most Weakly Related to Lack of Knowledge

By Reason Alone • 9 HN points • 20 Jun 23
🔬 Science Misinformation Knowledge Beliefs Education Climate change
  1. Misinformation is not always due to lack of knowledge, but can stem from having too much specific information on certain topics.
  2. More education can sometimes lead to more polarized beliefs, rather than always resulting in correct beliefs.
  3. Understanding is not just about having true information, but also about navigating biases and not getting caught up in popular misconceptions.

“Intellectual humility” is a copout

Building the Builders • 9 implied HN points • 18 May 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Truth Virtue
  1. Intellectual humility should not be a way to avoid seeking knowledge and certainty but should push us to strive for deep understanding and confidence.
  2. Being intellectually ambitious involves questioning assumptions, admitting mistakes, and actively seeking wisdom and self-trust.
  3. True intellectual ambition requires the courage to act on well-founded convictions, pursue worthwhile possibilities, and persist through uncertainty.

Don't be too attached to your beliefs

Akash Chinnaiah • 4 HN points • 04 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Beliefs Self-reflection Ego Freedom Knowledge
  1. Our beliefs are deeply influenced by the environment and people around us, shaping who we are. Questioning and reevaluating our beliefs can lead to personal growth and freedom.
  2. Beliefs are not fixed; they change over time as we gain new experiences and knowledge. Being open to challenging our beliefs can lead to better decision-making and a more authentic life.
  3. Changing our beliefs is not easy, as it often involves letting go of ego and deeply ingrained ideas. Broadening our knowledge and experiences can help us make more informed choices and grow as individuals.

Nonsense, Irrelevance, and Invalidity

Ethics Under Construction • 5 HN points • 29 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Free will Morality Ethics Logic
  1. Certain philosophical statements can be nonsense, like the liar's paradox, lacking basic truth-value and conveying no information.
  2. Statements can also be irrelevant, failing to provide any useful information, like stating obvious facts or redundant phrases.
  3. Logical gaps, like the is-ought gap, show that certain ideas are invalid and should be disregarded as meaningless.
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Meta-knowledge

Metarational • 19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 21
🚌 Education Logic Puzzles Thinking Knowledge
  1. Meta-knowledge involves the understanding of other people's knowledge, leading to concepts like meta-meta-knowledge and common knowledge.
  2. Puzzles, like the blue eyes puzzle, are great examples to demonstrate the complexity and power of different levels of meta-knowledge.
  3. Understanding meta-knowledge is crucial in various contexts, helping to make sense of social customs and intuitions that may otherwise seem arbitrary or senseless.

What is Knowledge?

Ethics Under Construction • 2 HN points • 02 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Truth Skepticism
  1. Knowledge is more than just having a justified true belief; it also requires a correct belief in how the justification connects to the truth.
  2. Gettier problems highlight situations where justified beliefs are true only by coincidence, challenging the traditional definition of knowledge.
  3. To have knowledge, there must be a justified true belief, a connector that explains the relationship between the justification and truth, and a belief in that connector.

Bryan Caplan Meets Socrates

By Reason Alone • 1 HN point • 11 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Dialogue Education Knowledge Wisdom Ethics
  1. Education should aim to refine virtue, not just for practical gains. Seeking education for its own sake leads to better outcomes.
  2. Sophistry in education can be dangerous, leading to superficial learning and a focus on appearances over substance.
  3. Interest in philosophy and the arts can be cultivated in all individuals with the right instruction, even if they initially lack enthusiasm.

cá

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 09 Dec 11
📖 Philosophy Life Knowledge Perception Reality
  1. The story about the fish reminds us to consider the things we take for granted and be aware of our surroundings.
  2. Reflecting on past experiences can help us appreciate how far we've come and understand the changes we've gone through.
  3. Sometimes, stepping out of our comfort zones or familiar environments can help us see things from a different perspective and appreciate them more.

The Enviable Ignorance of Tucker Carlson

The Medicine & Justice Project • 0 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Addiction Mental health Knowledge Compassion Substance Use
  1. Tucker Carlson seems to have a limited understanding of fentanyl, only knowing it comes from elsewhere and can be deadly.
  2. Challenging Carlson's claims about fentanyl overdose, the author highlights that George Floyd's case did not match typical signs of opioid overdose.
  3. The author expresses envy of Tucker Carlson's ignorance on fentanyl, as gaining knowledge in this area has been a harrowing and emotionally taxing experience.

Suy nghĩ

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 03 Oct 13
📖 Philosophy Thought Ideas Beliefs Ethics Knowledge
  1. Quality control is important in all aspects of life, not just products. Trust experts to ensure safety and quality.
  2. Critical thinking is crucial for individual freedom and living independently. Einstein emphasized teaching independent thinking.
  3. Comparing censorship to quality control requires thoughtful consideration. Ideas are not commodities and should be nurtured with care.

ignorance

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 29 May 08
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Learning Wisdom Self-awareness
  1. Nassim Taleb's theory of the Black Swan explores unforeseen events and risks, reminding us to consider different levels of business risk.
  2. We must constantly seek knowledge to reduce our ignorance levels and progress from not knowing what we don't know to recognizing gaps in our understanding.
  3. Having more knowledge can sometimes lead to overconfidence, as demonstrated in examples involving stock trading and sports betting, highlighting the importance of humility and adaptability in decision-making.

The Untapped Power of Menopausal Women

Notes in the Margins • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Menopause Women's Health Business Knowledge Support
  1. Women over 50 have significant purchasing power and leadership roles, making them a crucial market segment for businesses.
  2. Understanding the menopausal transition is key, as it can last for years and has various health implications that need open conversation and support.
  3. Empowering menopausal women in business involves valuing their experience, fostering supportive environments, promoting dialogue, and offering flexibility.

The thing which embraces

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Thought Humanity Crisis Knowledge Complexity
  1. Complex thinking helps us connect different pieces of knowledge. It allows us to understand complex problems more deeply.
  2. We often learn in separated topics, which can prevent us from seeing the bigger picture of being human and our challenges.
  3. Right now, we face many linked crises, like ecological and economic issues, that we need to understand together to find solutions.

Know when to stop searching

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Knowledge Cognition Metaphysics
  1. Having courage can inspire more courage in others. Being brave can create a chain reaction of bravery.
  2. Focusing too much on every detail can lead to feelings of meaninglessness. When everything is known, it can feel like nothing matters.
  3. Having choices is great, but having too many can complicate things. It helps to set some limits to make decision-making easier.

Three principles to overcome clouded judgment

do clouds feel vertigo? • 0 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Mindset Creativity Judgment Knowledge Art
  1. It's important to avoid rushing to judgment, especially about art. Taking time to understand and appreciate ambiguity can lead to deeper insights.
  2. Letting go of the need for control helps in gaining better understanding. Being open to different outcomes can lead to new ideas and creativity.
  3. We should treat knowledge like stock options that expire. Our understanding can change over time, so we need to remain flexible and ready to adapt our views.

Pragmatic Epistemology: An Evolutionary Argument

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Ethics Evolutionary Theory Knowledge Cultural Studies
  1. Knowledge is a tool that helps humans survive, similar to how a hammer or smartphone is useful. It exists because it serves a purpose in our lives.
  2. Our ability to know things is influenced by what has been useful throughout history, which means knowledge can vary between individuals and groups based on their needs and survival.
  3. There are two types of knowledge: individual knowledge, which is somewhat universal, and group knowledge, which can be relative and culturally specific. This can sometimes lead to conflicts between personal beliefs and group traditions.

The Problem with Language: Fuzzy Categories and Central Members

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 07 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Language Cognition Argumentation Knowledge Mathematics
  1. Language is a tool that helps us communicate but is not always perfect in representing ideas. It evolved to be useful but can lead to misunderstandings because categories are often fuzzy.
  2. When we think of a category, like 'cat', we picture a common example based on our experiences. This average image may overlook other varieties and details.
  3. Using math can improve our understanding of complex ideas. It helps us avoid confusion in discussions and see the world in a clearer, more precise way.

Knowledge, Plugins and Understanding

Age of AI • 0 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Plugins Knowledge
  1. AI tools like ChatGPT can benefit from plugins like 'Tasty Recipes' to enhance performance.
  2. Having background knowledge can help AI tools better understand and summarize texts.
  3. Different plugins and tools, like 'PDF summary' plugins and NotebookLM, are being used to improve AI's ability to process and summarize information.

Andy Clark Meets the Grasshopper

By Reason Alone • 0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Mind Existence Knowledge Ethics Reality
  1. Life could be considered a game with a goal of minimizing surprise, which is a simple and shared objective
  2. The belief-updating process in life might follow Bayesian principles, but this approach is debated among philosophers
  3. Dreams could serve the purpose of testing and challenging the brain's models of the world to minimize surprises and enhance adaptability

Short Thoughts on Repetition

Autoscriptorium • 0 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
📚 Literature Reflection Writing Observation Knowledge
  1. Repetition plays a crucial role in learning and creativity, often leading to new insights and perspectives.
  2. Observing patterns through repetition can lead to the development of deep knowledge and expertise in fields like medicine and business.
  3. Repeating tasks or actions can be a way to navigate interruptions and maintain focus on achieving goals.

The Beckoning Holobiont

Cybernetic Forests • 0 implied HN points • 07 Aug 22
🔬 Science Ethics Nature Knowledge Research Environment
  1. Colonialism has often exploited indigenous knowledge and communities through science and exploration.
  2. The concept of 'subtractive science' by Masanobu Fukuoka challenges the traditional interventionist approach of science, advocating for a more hands-off, natural growth process.
  3. The relationship between humans, technology, and nature should be one of collaboration and respect, with an emphasis on understanding the balance of power and hierarchy in these interactions.

Complex Systems and You

The Unabashed Observer • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Perception Society Existence
  1. Complex systems are beyond individual understanding, and simplification is necessary for comprehension in various disciplines.
  2. Human perception is limited by biology, leading to incomplete understanding of the world around us.
  3. Specialization in society leads to interdependence and the need for trust and humility in leveraging diverse skills for progress.

(12.) Maurice Nicoll 1 - SOME THOUGHTS ON THE WAR, Part II and THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBSERVATION AND SELF-OBSERVATION - pp.45-50

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 03 May 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teachings Self-Observation Knowledge Reality
  1. Man must overcome violence within himself to avoid contributing to larger conflicts like war. Self-awareness and non-identification are crucial in this process.
  2. Observation and self-observation are distinct: observation looks outward, while self-observation requires looking inward. Self-observation is more challenging but leads to self-change.
  3. External knowledge gained through observation can influence the world around us, while self-observation leads to internal change. Understanding the two realities we live in can transform our perception and actions.

Fragments, Chapter 14, pp.282-288 - Reading Club posting 51

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Symbolism Knowledge Unity Teachings Philosophy
  1. Symbolism of numbers, geometrical figures, letters, and words: Understanding the right and wrong interpretations of symbols, the union of knowledge and being, and attainment through one's own efforts.
  2. The law of octaves and the symbolism of numbers: Exploring the law of octaves, the significance of the decimal system, and the importance of understanding the unity expressed by numbers.
  3. Various symbolisms and their interpretations: Examining different systems such as magic, alchemy, and astrology, emphasizing the necessity of correctly understanding symbols to avoid misinterpretations and delusions.

Fragments, Chapter 4, pp.64-68 - Reading Club posting 12

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 25 Nov 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Belief Understanding Knowledge
  1. In personal development, it's crucial to balance the line of knowledge and the line of being - knowledge without corresponding being development and vice versa can lead to stagnant growth.
  2. Understanding is the combination of knowledge and being, and it is not solely achieved through accumulating knowledge - growth in being simultaneously is essential for true understanding.
  3. People often mistake knowledge for understanding, but understanding involves feeling and sensing, not just knowing with the mind. Finding names for things without truly comprehending them doesn't equal actual understanding.

Fragments, Chapter 3, pp.53-9 - Reading Club posting 10

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 11 Nov 22
📖 Philosophy Human nature Consciousness Evolution Individuality Knowledge
  1. Man is not a singular entity but a collection of changing 'I's, each with its own characteristics and tendencies.
  2. The evolution of man involves conscious struggle and development of untapped potential, rather than a predetermined, mechanical process.
  3. Individual human evolution is possible through self-realization and growth, but mass evolution is not in nature's interest and may be hindered by external forces.

Fragments, Chapter 2, pp.35-40

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Religion Beliefs Knowledge Mystery
  1. Knowledge is considered material and limited, so it is concentrated in a few individuals for better results.
  2. The majority of people do not actively seek knowledge or put effort into acquiring it, leading to its distribution among a select few.
  3. Effort is required to attain knowledge, and learning from those who possess it is crucial for acquiring true knowledge.

Introduction to “Gurdjieff’s Medicine”

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jul 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teaching Body Health Knowledge Inner Work
  1. Gurdjieff's medicine is deeply connected to his overall teachings, integral to self-development and health improvement.
  2. Gurdjieff believed in the intertwining of physical health and inner work, emphasizing the importance of knowing both the body and soul.
  3. The laws of seven and three, vibrations, and the materiality of everything were fundamental aspects of Gurdjieff's medicine and teachings.