Why are people afraid to look things up?
I'm surprised by how often people ask me technological questions that they can easily answer themselves. While I'm often tempted to reply with a let me »
Panning for gold versus selling pickaxes
In tech, companies can usually be categorized as panning for gold or selling pickaxes. In other words, a company either searches for value that it suspects »
Prestige doesn't always equal good
If you apply for something that's highly selective, it's tempting to think that you'd be foolish to turn it down if you're fortunate enough to be »
Turning my smartphone greyscale
I worry that I'm addicted to my phone. I feel naked without it and am constantly looking to it for stimulation. So, I'm starting an experiment »
4D rides just aren't as fun
As stereoscopic films become increasingly realistic, theme parks are building more 4D rides. Essentially, they're 3D movies where the seats shake and occasionally you're sprayed with »
Bring two locks when you travel
I've always been paranoid about leaving valuables in hotel rooms / AirBnB's. To ease my mind, I travel with two locks. One to keep my bag shut »
Increase term of health insurance policies
Unfortunately incentives in American healthcare for insurance companies and providers are often misaligned. For example, when a physician wants to offer a patient preventive treatments, insurance »
Gambling and feedback psychology
Without disciple and self-restraint you can't responsibly enjoy gambling as a form of entertainment. Casinos do their best to convince you that it makes sense to »
Are you more comfortable being the most liberal or most conservative person in a group?
In college, I was more politically conservative than most of my friends. But in hindsight, I'm unsure of whether that's what I believed, or whether it »
Be careful how you ask about preferences
When you ask people for their preferences before you volunteer to do something for them, implicitly they expect you to take all of their stated preferences »