Archive for the ‘lone gunman’ tag
A Consideration of Suicide #
Via the Lone Gunman, a perfect example of what internet-length philosophy should look like. I wish I’d written this.
Porsche’s Wager #
It’s an old link to an even older story, but I found Ivan Krstić’s telling of the shenanigans that surronded Volkwagon stock last year rather captivating.
(via @fakelvis)
Christmas Letdown #
Lloyd point to one of things I find so frustrating about gift exchanges:
The most conservative estimate put the average receiver’s valuation at 90% of the buying price. The missing 10% is what economists call a deadweight loss: a waste of resources that could be averted without making anyone worse off. In other words, if the giver gave the cash value of the purchase instead of the gift itself, the recipient could then buy what she really wants, and be better off for no extra cost.
Nobel’s Also-Rans #
Lloyd points to an interesting slideshow from Scientific American profiling those who should have received (science) Nobel Prizes but didn’t.
On a related note: some analysis of this year’s so-far and likely winners.
British Law #
This list of lists of of “The Cases that Changed Britain” is rather interesting. I’d be even more interested in seeing a similar thing compiled for the US.
- Part one: 1785-1869
- Part two: 1870-1916
- Part three: 1917-1954
- Part four: 1955-1971
- Part five: 1972-2006
(via Lone Gunman)
Mistaken Fear #
Psychology Today has a great article about the errors in reasoning that (vestigial) fear causes us to make. The ten:
- Risk and emotion are inseparable.
- Fear skews risk analysis in predictable ways.
- We underestimate threats that creep up on us.
- We prefer that which (we think) we can control.
- We substitute one risk for another.
- Using your cortex isn’t always smart.
- The “risk thermostat” varies widely.
- Risk arguments cannot be divorced from values.
- “Natural” risks are easier to accept.
- Worrying about risk is itself risky.
(via Lone Gunman)