Archive for the ‘paul graham’ tag
A Small Identity #
I liked this point from Paul Graham:
I think what religion and politics have in common is that they become part of people’s identity, and people can never have a fruitful argument about something that’s part of their identity. By definition they’re partisan.
And I find it hard to disagree with his conclusion:
The most intriguing thing about this theory, if it’s right, is that it explains not merely which kinds of discussions to avoid, but how to have better ideas. If people can’t think clearly about anything that has become part of their identity, then all other things being equal, the best plan is to let as few things into your identity as possible.
Most people reading this will already be fairly tolerant. But there is a step beyond thinking of yourself as x but tolerating y: not even to consider yourself an x. The more labels you have for yourself, the dumber they make you.
How To Do What You Love #
I’ve probably landed on this Paul Graham essay 100 times and looked at it seriously at least ten. But today was the first I really read it and realized its value.