Category Archives: Philosophy

What intellectually stimulating conversations look like

Nicholas Taleb’s Reddit AMA has been, by far, the most intellectually stimulating “ask me anything” that I’ve ever read. I don’t agree with everything that he says (see last question below, for example). Nevertheless the whole thread was thoroughly enjoyable. Here … Continue reading

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How to stop fooling yourself

When I first wrote about self-deception, a little more than a year ago, I found the experience traumatising. It can be very troubling to realise that inside my own head I maybe tucking away truths that I am already aware … Continue reading

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Why memorising matters and what I’m doing about it

I hate rote learning as much as anyone can. My high school exams were a nightmare to prepare for. I detested the process of memorising facts, just so to vomit them out on an exam paper. So much so that … Continue reading

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On the failings of passion

One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested. - EM Forster, English writer Forster is probably right. Passionate people can achieve a lot more than others. But we assume that because we think passionate people are those who … Continue reading

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