Mental Models
Nuclear-Powered Pacemakers
Even though it might technically be safe to walk around with trace amounts of plutonium powering your heart, this is still a terrible idea, and there are two groups that really, really hated it.
Mental Models
Frameworks for thinking about and understanding the world and our impact on it.
Mental Models
Argue the Opposite
Having a strong opinion requires work, because you have to be able to argue your perspective effectively.
Mental Models
Convergent vs. Divergent Thinking
Thomas Edison famously said. “I am quite correctly described as 'more of a sponge than an inventor."
Mental Models
Change Your Mind
The world is changing quickly, and many of us would be better off changing our minds more often to reflect new information.
Mental Models
Knowledge Trees
If you're trying to learn something new, identify the trunk of the topic first.
Mental Models
Systems Thinking
If I could teach my younger self one thing, it would be this: If you’re trying to make a sustainable change in yourself or the world, you need to create a system for doing so.
Mental Models
Flywheels
Flywheels are so effective, you can even technically use them to power a bus, and in the 1940s, the Swiss did exactly that when they invented the gyrobus.
Mental Models
Car Seats as Contraception
Second-order effects are everywhere.
Mental Models
Survivorship Bias
When we examine our history, it's tempting to look at only the success stories. But the people, societies, and organizations that didn't survive have important stories to tell us as well.
Mental Models
Opening Doors
The internet enables human potential at scale.
Mental Models
Pick Your Compromises
It’s tempting to focus on just the benefits. But every decision comes with trade-offs.