Today’s post is mostly a rant from someone who has eaten too many carrots and little else for a week, but I’ve traveled six continents and in only two places did I go hungry—Brazil and North Korea. North Korea has a failed authoritarian central planned economy. It’s tragic for the people living there, but at least I understand the situation and knew to prepare for difficulty finding food. Brazil has[…] Keep reading →

If you don’t eat meat, people ask you “Where do you get your protein?” a lot. It’s been so long since I ate meat, I don’t think about protein. I eat what I like. No problem. After nearly a quarter-century including competing at Nationals for Ultimate, running six marathons, getting a PhD in physics, and doing about 50,000 burpees, and various other mental and physical achievements, if any problems haven’t[…] Keep reading →

“Which is more important as a leader, to work alone or to work in groups?” I heard that question asked of a panel of business leaders last week. The panelists all answered something like “in this day and age you have to be able to work in groups. That’s where you get everything done” with some acknowledgment that you had to be able to work solo too sometimes. As soon[…] Keep reading →

Continuing my series on responses to the New York Times column, The Ethicist, looking at the consequences of one’s actions instead of imposing values on them, here is a take on an earlier post,”Why Can’t I Clean My Boyfriend’s House for Pay?” About a year ago, I moved into my boyfriend’s house in a new city. I’m renting out my old house for income as I look for work. I[…] Keep reading →

“You can live cheaper in New York City than any place in the world” A friend once said that in college in response to someone saying New York City cost a lot to live in. He may have overstated things, but I’ve found the mental model useful. It’s on my mind because I’m visiting Brazil for the first time for a friend’s wedding and we’re getting nailed at every turn[…] Keep reading →

I think I do a lot of things well, at least the things I care about. I’ve been working on the prologue to a book proposal for months. An agent is working with me, encouraging me, and giving me advice and I’ve made some progress, but not as much I think I could. If you search for one of my posts on “show, don’t tell,” you’ll see how long I’ve[…] Keep reading →

Since my post, “The smallest effective difference,” I’ve meant to list habits and practices I do to reduce my unnecessary effects on things. I plan to add to the list over time as I think of new ones since I feel like I act on the philosophy all the time and it seems short. If you have similar habits and practices, please let me know. The point of them is[…] Keep reading →

A reader wrote to ask about choosing not to meet or make connections with people. I thought others might find the answer useful. Hey Josh. I was just wondering. You seem to place a lot of value on having relationships with people. Are there times you don’t want a relationship with someone? I suppose in negotiations it is in your own interest to have a good relationship for at least[…] Keep reading →

The pattern for developing a new social skill goes like: 1. Lack of awareness of something I want to change 2. Awareness of it 3. Realizing I can do something about it 4. Try do something about it but notice a day later that I missed the opportunity 5. Notice an hour later 6. Notice a minute later 7. Notice in the moment 8. Unconscious mastery Advancing from one step[…] Keep reading →