Episode 057 looks at two Stoic topics: the first from Marcus Aurelius who wrote, “It is essential for you to remember that the attention you give to any action should be in due proportion to its worth, for then you won’t tire and give up, if you aren’t busying yourself with lesser things beyond what should be allowed.”; and the second from r/Stoicism, a post by EricHennigan, which started, “I was thinking about Epictetus’ reminder that some things are under our control and others not. If we push this idea really hard, there are many things that I might naively consider under my control, but which, when examined more closely are not. For example, thoughts randomly bubble into my mind and I do not control that. Emotions can overwhelm my rational faculties, causing me a temporary insanity. Many external factors control the direction of my life. The simple, naive, lowercase stoic advise seems to recommend that I not try to control things which I cannot. I think this interpretation would be a disastrous mistake.”
Category: Thinking & Doing
Affirming the Consequent & Primacy and Recency Effects (15m) – Episode 056
Episode 056 looks at Affirming the Consequent logical fallacy and the cognitive biases Primacy Effect and Recency Effect.
Tidy Home, Conspiracy Theorists, Anticipation and Happiness, & Steelmanning (21m) – Episode 055
Episode 055 looks at keeping a tidy room (and home) by removing one or two items that don’t belong every time you leave; asking someone to explain their conspiracy theory in detail in order for them to see its holes themselves; the difference between excitement from anticipation and your long-term happiness; and the value in asking your discussion or debate partner to explain the other side as well as they can (steelmanning).
Your Actual Needs are Small & The Pressure of Time (27m) – Episode 054
Episode 054 looks at two Stoic topics: the first from Seneca who wrote, “Nothing can satisfy greed, but even a small measure satisfies nature. So it is that the poverty of an exile brings no misfortune, for no place of exile is so barren as not to produce ample support for a person.”; and the second from r/Stoicism, a post by Ok_Intern_4405, which started, “I’m in my late twenties and I feel I am constantly pressuring myself to make good use of time, whether it is a conscious decision or not. I imagine a number of you could relate. Maybe it’s the rat race that has gotten into me, I’m not sure. But looking at the success of my peers, I can’t help but feel the need to not waste any second of my life.”
The Zero-Sum Fallacy & Gambler’s Fallacy (18m) – Episode 053
Episode 053 looks at the Zero-Sum Fallacy and the Balancing Force of the Universe, or Gambler’s Fallacy, cognitive bias.
Short on Time, Highest Quality, Paying Off Debt, & Cold Butter (19m) – Episode 052
Episode 052 looks at maximizing your time by multitasking and batching; saving money in the long run by paying a little extra for higher quality goods; paying down debt by rounding off your cash accounts every night; and the best way to cut through cold or frozen butter (it’s really a no-brainer).
Mutual Interdependence & Efface Opinions (28m) – Episode 051
Episode 051 looks at two Stoic topics: the first from Marcus Aurelius who wrote, “Meditate often on the interconnectedness and mutual interdependence of all things in the universe. For in a sense, all things are mutually woven together and therefore have an affinity for each other—for one thing follows after another according to their tension of movement, their sympathetic stirrings, and the unity of all substance.”; and the second from r/Stoicism, a post by Anderson Silver (yourusermanual), which began with another Marcus Aurelius quote, “Efface the opinion, I am harmed, and at once the feeling of being harmed disappears; efface the feeling, and the harm disappears at once.”
Fallacy of Accent & Expectations (19m) – Episode 050
Episode 050 looks at the Fallacy of Accent and Expectations as a cognitive bias.
Mental Health over Wealth, Good Friends, Difficult Situations, & Uncomfortable Truths (26m) – Episode 049
Episode 049 looks at choosing to protect your mental or physical health over choosing a higher paycheck; why being a good friend probably means holding your friends accountable for their poor decisions; some advice on dealing with difficult situations; and becoming comfortable in the face of uncomfortable truths.
The Truly Educated & This is The Way (24m) – Episode 048
Episode 048 looks at two Stoic topics: the first from Epictetus who wrote, “The beautiful and good person neither fights with anyone nor, as much as they are able, permits others to fight . . . this is the meaning of getting an education—learning what is your own affair and what is not. If a person carries themselves so, where is there any room for fighting?”; and the second from artwork by mjhiblenart involving a character from The Mandalorian, a television series on Disney+. The episode begins with sad news about Carl Watner (RIP), the person who introduced Skyler to Stoicism.