How does one study power? How does one accumulate power? How does one wield power? Few have been more deliberate in considering these questions than Lyndon Johnson. He transformed the fabric of the institutions he touched to accomplish what he wanted, be it in the interest of the country or otherwise. In this essay I… Continue reading The Master of Power
Tag: Books
The Affluent Society – J K Galbraith
To secure to each family a [universal] minimum income would help ensure that the misfortunes of the parents, deserved or not, were not visited on their children. Investment in eduction assessed qualitatively as well as quantitatively could become the closest to being the basic index of social progress. The large corporation is seen as good… Continue reading The Affluent Society – J K Galbraith
How to actually change your mind – Eliezer Yudkowsky
Rationality: rational beliefs should not be preferences they should be the best estimate of the way things actually are. why bother learning about rationality if you can’t become fully rational, for the same reason that you would double check a test answer if you can’t be sure it will be correct. ‘if you don’t seek… Continue reading How to actually change your mind – Eliezer Yudkowsky
Map and Territory – Eliezer Yudkowsky
This is a book by Eliezer Yudkowsky on rationality. I would strongly recommend this to anyone interested in the subject and below I have put a few notes on bits I found particularly interesting. scope insensitivity: what would you pay to save 2000/20,000/20,000 birds? ideas is that you have a prototype bird and the emotional… Continue reading Map and Territory – Eliezer Yudkowsky
Influence – Robert Cialdini
A few points before the main notes. As is acknowledge throughout the book most of the tendencies noted are genuinely useful most of the time. Reciprocating actions helps build trust, accepting parental authority on what is dangerous when young is likely a useful activity. It is mainly when taken to new areas or pushed to… Continue reading Influence – Robert Cialdini
Factfullness – Hans Rosling
Hans Rosling takes a look at 10 tendencies that lead us astray when trying to evaluate facts in the world around us and how we can combat them.
Neil Hacker 