Ideally technological progress doesn’t negate what came before. It adds a new layer. It enhances parts of our humanity rather than replacing pieces of it.
Category: Knowledge
Decadence
What would it feel like to live in a declining empire? That’s the question I’ve had ruminating in my mind. To understand what living in a declining empire feels like we should understand the economic and societal shifts that are likely to happen during such an event.
Happiness Framework
David Foster Wallace was ahead of his time when he wrote Infinite Jest. The MacGuffin within the novel is a movie that is so captivating that viewers lose interest in anything else. Sound familiar?
Everything Feels Awful
Why do otherwise intelligent people think everything is awful?
China’s High-Wire Act
China is the single thing I read most about this year. I want to learn both about the history and the current leadership because it is both a unique culture and many argue the heir apparent to the superpower throne.
Prediction Markets
George Orwell once said, “People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes … the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome.” Prediction markets can help clear up that crystal ball.
Type 1 Civilization Or Bust – Going Nuclear
The way I’ve been thinking about our energy utilization is shaped by the Kardashev scale — a method of measuring a civilization’s level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy it is able to harness. My takeaway? We need MORE POWER!
You’re Already In The Metaverse
I’ve read exactly one fiction book over the last few years — Snow Crash. Among numerous accolades, it’s often credited with coining the term “metaverse”. Whether or not it was the first usage of the word, the book piqued my interest in the concept of a metaverse and it’s something I have been pondering ever… Continue reading You’re Already In The Metaverse
When Listening Became Underrated
Attending a large western university exposes students to at least a somewhat diverse cross-section of people. Oddly enough, when I was a student at one such university, that felt like a good thing. If anything, with hindsight, exploration of even more diverse viewpoints would have been a benefit.
Fire Season: Climate & The Power Grid
In what is something of a terrible cycle — increased temperatures put additional stress on the grid and contribute to an increase in the number of wildfires and droughts. Wildfires and droughts put more strain on the grid by lowering the effectiveness of solar and hydroelectric power. This means capacity related blackouts could become more common.