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This rings true to me. The idea is that policy analysts criticize one kind of mistake, but their solution contains the exact same mistake, but dressed up differently.

I’m sure Robin Hanson would call this the difference between near and far thinking. The idea is a bit strange, but it suggests and we think differently when analyzing different kinds of problems – ones that are near (identifying problems with regulation) are easier to be clear on. When we go far out our analysis rests on a few stupid assumptions and becomes a caricature.

It’s actually about how best to succeed.

and funny, and bitter. And about poetry, but don’t let that scare you away.
h/t the awl

I killed the Earth with a 5000 km sized iron comet hitting the planet at a 90 degree angle.

Boom

Big lecture here on economic implications of AI and Nanotechnology.

Incredible stuff.

Fast Food Chains Dominated by McD’s

Ok, I like Sci-fi and everything.

But my God, this stuff is crazy…

Conclusion: adrenaline rules more in an 18-minutes sinking than in a 2h 40m sinking.

Arnold’s reading a book about Africa:

In this part of Africa [Mozambique] famines were frequent and made terrible depredations, but occurred in some areas more than in others, and people from the affected lands would crowd into unaffected areas where food was to be found. They bought food with anything they possessed, including their own freedom, voluntarily making themselves the slaves of those who would give them sustenance. Desperate individuals would even destroy an item of value belonging to a wealthier neighbor, knowing that the punishment for this symbolic act would be enslavement.

He goes on to comment that to accumulate wealth and power we must have others work for us. Interesting stuff. Can’t wait to get around to reading his latest book.

The fairer sex, indeed.