It would be interesting, though very difficult, to study how history changes. I don’t mean how the sequence of human events changes from the present into the future, I mean how the past changes. Since it exists only in memory from our present perspective, the stories we believe about the past are the past. But those stories aren’t fixed. They change all the time.
Tag: knowledge
I’m the Little Brother
I’m driven by proving the perpetual big brother voice wrong. Being doubted, disbelieved, and disrespected drives me. Fighting to survive and surprise as an underdog. Then one day you land a blow. You win a game of one on one. After years of trash talk and dismissal, you do it. And guess what? You get no credit. No acknowledgement. It’s downplayed. Forgotten by everyone but you. You’re still the little brother.
What Do You Know That You Don’t Know?
There’s a lot of knowledge inside a human. Most of it isn’t readily accessible with the conscious mind. It takes some work to access.
The Known Is Transformed by the Unknown
When we reach for new ideas, it results in a more nuanced relationship to the ideas we already have. By grappling with unfamiliar concepts, we breathe new life into the familiar ones. Learning not only begets new information. It begets new opportunities with old understandings we may have taken for granted.
Reflections on The Sopranos
I just finished re-watching the entirety of The Sopranos, HBO’s classic Mafia drama. I saw it season-by-season when it originally aired (1999-2007), and I still hew to the allegedly philistine view that the ending was not only bad, but insulting. Overall, though the show’s reputation is well-deserved. Here are the top social science insights I take away.
You Don’t Get to Avoid Consequences
The best you can do, in my opinion, is to not do things that make you feel guilty– which make you feel like you can’t live with yourself– and let the pieces fall where they may.
Suppressing Discussion Doesn’t Solve the Problem; It is the Problem
Everywhere one looks these days, the world seems to be moving away from debate on contentious subjects and toward demands that those who have unpopular opinions — or even just ask impertinent questions — be forcibly silenced.
“Meatless Mondays” and the Rise of Social-Emotional Learning in Schools
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced earlier this month that all New York City public schools would enact “Meatless Mondays,” avoiding any meat offerings during Monday school breakfasts and lunches beginning this fall. The Meatless Monday plan is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to government dictates on right and wrong, often using compulsory government schools to influence young people.
Two Economic Tragedies
Two economic tragedies: 1. Refusing to acknowledge any forms of value that don’t make money. 2. Resenting markets for not rewarding all the things we value in terms of money.
That Look College Opt-Outs Get
There are going to be plenty of people who believe that you are ignorant, lazy, or unwise for not going to college. They are going to give you plenty of chances to deal with the awkwardness of having made an unconventional decision. You will want desperately to say something to wipe the look of pity or contempt or condescension from their faces.