In this episode I talk about the current paradigm of science, and challenge it, by arguing that much of today's science is not growing knowledge over time, contrary to what most people assume. That while science keeps saying more, it only does so by explaining less. Support the show Become a Member nontrivialpodcast.com Check out the Video Version https://www.youtube.com/@nontrivialpodcast...
In this episode I talk about snowballs, more specifically, the runaway process that happens when we take an action we think is confined to that instance but ends up becoming something so much bigger. We're all familiar with this process, but I want to peel back its nature and expose its underlying mechanisms in order to truly understand how it works. In doing this, I believe we can better appreciate just how prevalent snowballing is in our lives and how we can use such knowledge to make bet...
In this episode I discuss how the only way to become good at anything is to start at the end, acting as though we already know how to do the thing. By placing ourselves directly into real-world environments related to the challenge, we are forced to rise to the occasion and inevitably learn the skill, achieve the objective, accomplish the goal. We are creatures of adaptation, and as such, the only way to truly become what we want to be is by adapting. Support the show Become a Member nontrivialp...
In this episode I discuss how the best preparation is no preparation. I will argue that despite its paradoxical nature there is deep truth to this idea, founded on how information accumulates over time. I will argue that the ongoing effort to solve problems in the moment leads to superior competence relative to that which we get from planning. I'll discuss how preparation creates brittle dependencies to things prearranged, and how entering moments authentically produces far greater skill an...
In this episode I discuss how detailed knowledge falls short, and how high-level thinking is a far superior way to make sense of the world and solve real problems. I'll discuss how the abstraction inherent in high-level thinking is what brings us into the environments where real problems exist, and how the only detailed knowledge worth having is that which comes after we've solved the problem. We'll look at how conceptual connections are made, and explore the underlying mechanism ...
In this episode I argue that the detailed patterns we study cannot be used as the basis for improving things. The inspection of bird's wings does not lead to human flight, the admiration of a wise man's character traits cannot tell you how to achieve inner peace, and the government's preoccupation with desired outcomes cannot be used to direct funding, and other examples. It's likely going to challenge some deep-seated beliefs you have about how things work, but I'll be ...
In this episode I talk about penny-pinching, which I take to mean any kind of nit-picking or hyper-detailed behavior, that I argue leads to bad long-term outcomes. Penny-pinching is when we try to use all the information available to weigh pros and cons, and make some informed decision as how to best act. I will argue that while this might make us feel better in the moment, and sound smart to others, it's in fact more often than not, unintelligent because it doesn't take into account h...
In this episode I'll be challenging the idea that human progress owes its advancement to the efforts of a few, that society has progressed by riding the coattails of giants; those individuals that history tells us made the greatest contributions. While the narrative that so-called geniuses contribute far more than others seems to make sense, does it hold up to what we know about how problems are solved? While history paints the picture that geniuses bring forth the momentous, the memorable,...
This is part 2 of my episode on facts and logic. In this part we're going to look at 2 hot debates as examples for when logic does and does not work. We'll discuss whether or not to wear a mask, and whether or not a God exists. We'll end the episode with a resolution on how to strike these conversations around mutual respect. Support the show Become a Member nontrivialpodcast.com Check out the Video Version https://www.youtube.com/@nontrivialpodcast...
In this episode I talk about facts and logic ; when they work and when they don't. I explain the power of logic and how it helps us structure arguments. I discuss how to know when arguments are done well and how to know when they're not. I also cover the severe limitations of logic. I explain the mechanism behind why and how logic falls short, specifically in complex situations. I provide real-world examples of controversial issues, and furnish listeners with a potential resolution tha...
In this episode I talk about the difference between consuming and creating. I discuss how we often assume the process of creating is supposed to resemble how we read about it, when in reality the creative process is fundamentally different. I show how this leads to a conflict between consumption and creation, hindering our ability to create effectively. Ultimately, I delve into the intrinsic difference between how we consume and how we create, outlining the latter as a process of wrapping a prob...
In this episode I talk about the apparent dichotomy between specialization and generalization, and how choosing just one leaves us unfulfilled. I look at our inevitable attempt to balance both sides, leaving us ultimately defeated, and bound to making a choice between them. I contend that specialization and generalization are actually a unified concept when viewed correctly, and can be reconciled such that we go deep in one thing while engaging in many different aspects of life. Support the show...
In this episode I talk about skill , specifically how skill is often not what we think it is. I take a look at our perception of skill and what I think is wrong with that perception, specifically how it's rooted in the idea that a deep foundation of knowledge must come before we can be considered skilled at something. I reframe skill in terms of solving complex problems, and take a deep dive into the difference simple and complex challenges. Support the show Become a Member nontrivialpodcas...
