2025-03-17
ust' ishim
There’s an interesting paper by David Sun about the genetic origins of East Asian personality traits, which appears to be similar to that of Inuits and other polar cultures, via Marginal Revolution. Notably, the blurb describes this as being from polar origins rather than rice farming or Confucianism. But both the paper and my personal opinion is that (assuming the polar origin is true), even if Confucianism didn’t create the culture, it is what ensured that the traits persisted in a different environment, particularly given that the Yellow River culture seems to have been a fusion of migrations from both the north and the south. I currently have low credence (~10%), but still very interesting, with a lot of cool implications.
WSJ article on the death of Dan Kahneman. It seems obvious to me that the reason his death was “premature” is the sound mind requirement, which requires that you go through the process before your mind starts falling apart. As it is, the loss of utility you give up by going a little early is offset by the disutility you get from accidentally overshooting.
Haley Nahman on last-minute plans. I feel like the degree to which this is something you need to change should be evaluated based on why you make plans: for me, I lack intrinsic motivation, so if I don’t commit to things beforehand I’ll often end up not doing anything. The reason naturally produces conclusions about whether you are over-planning or being insufficiently open to sudden opportunities.
Takeover Podcast on Donald Trump, which pairs well with these book recommendations by Sam Freedman. I wonder if a refusal to believe in the “great man” theory of history is what makes politics feel terrifying for some, since all your enemies are actually shadows of great historical forces moving against you.
