The hottest Theory Substack posts right now

There was a schedule mix-up for the Category theory Q&A session, but it has been corrected.
The Q&A session is rescheduled for 5 pm GMT instead of the initial 3 pm GMT.
Registration for the Q&A session is available on Crowdcast and replays will be on a YouTube playlist.

Frigyes Riesz was a significant mathematician who made key contributions to functional analysis and operator theory, impacting areas like physics and Hilbert spaces.
His work, including the Riesz-Fischer theorem, influenced the development of quantum theory, showing the unitary equivalence of different quantum theories.
Riesz is known for foundational work in Functional Analysis, which is crucial for the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics, and concepts like Dirac's bracket notation make sense thanks to Riesz representation theorem.

Disruption theory can be more than just a tool for research, and some believe it can also predict when a disruptor will succeed.
Views on disruption can vary, with some arguing that companies can actively pursue disruption as part of their innovation or commercialization efforts.
Michael Raynor has put forth theories on disruption and innovation that are influential and open to empirical analysis.

Part Two of _The Eggplant_ is a meta-rational understanding of effective, practical activity, not an abstract, rational theory of irrationality.
Understanding effective practical activity involves a different approach from cognitive science.
The theory of breakfast is explained in relation to meta-rational understanding of activity.

Online radicalization often leads individuals into a rabbit hole of extreme beliefs, but the only way out is through transitioning to real-world engagement.
Reading political theory online can be oversimplified; true understanding comes from studying texts in their historical context and as part of a larger analysis.
Effective political organizations require a strong program to unify members and foster healthy debate, unlike online spaces where disagreements often lead to fragmentation.

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The ultimate goal of education, according to Einstein, is to stimulate curiosity, creativity, independent thinking, and action in each student.
Einstein emphasizes the importance of creating a love for learning in students, rather than just focusing on how much work they do.
Teachers must also be individuals who are curious, passionate about knowledge, and eager to explore the world, in order to foster freedom and independent thinking in students.

Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, was a highly intelligent but ultimately violent individual with a tragic and impactful life story.
Kaczynski's manifesto, _Industrial Society and Its Future_, though not revolutionary, had moments of clarity in critiquing societal rebellion and the co-opting of causes by the System.
Kaczynski's focus on abstractly blaming 'the System' and his lack of concrete solutions or engagement with the realities of society ultimately led him to a violent and futile path.

Joseph Fourier greatly impacted how scientists understand heat transfer and functions. His work introduced new equations that describe how heat moves through solids.
Fourier was not just a mathematician; he was also deeply involved in the political scene during the French Revolution, even ending up in prison for his beliefs.
In his studies, Fourier explained how the Earth gets its heat from the sun, stars, and its own core. He was one of the first to bring attention to the concept of the greenhouse effect.

Philosophical writing can often be confusing and dull, making it hard for people to connect with the ideas being presented. Good writing should engage and inspire readers, not just fill pages with complicated jargon.
Language is more than just a tool for describing reality; it can shape how we understand and experience the world. Philosophers should explore the creative potential of language instead of just trying to pin down clear definitions.
Critics often misunderstand the purpose of 'continental philosophy,' which aims to challenge traditional ways of thinking. It's important to recognize that all kinds of philosophy can contribute valuable perspectives, even if they seem disorganized or abstract at first.