Thursday, November 30, 2023
Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
If you live outside New England and are getting somewhat sick of all the Rob Gronkowski commercials just know that's there's a good sized segment of Pats fans who find it amusing. Gronk was known for never spending the money he made in the NFL but living off the money he made from commercials and endorsements. Wonder if he's still doing that - saving his salary and just spending the advertising dollars? As always - please Subscribe (paid if you can afford it), hit the Like button, or share the Link. Gronk thanks you
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.
- Bill Belichick from a Jets' fan point of view.
- The Free Press on the Death of Old Europe. They could have called this the people are finally waking up.
- About that iPhone security "flaw"
- Morgan Housel on Frugal vs Independent. Most wise men I've read about all say that the advent of wisdom is living below your means and being happy to do so.
More Charlie Munger Quotes to Live By
Some more wisdom from the great Charlie Munger that I hope may resonate with you.
"I never allow myself yo have an opinion on anything where I don't know the other sides argument better than they do."
"I think a life properly lived is just learn, learn, learn all the time."
"Every time you hear EBITA, just substitute it with bullshit."
"You can't live a successful life without doing some difficult things that go wrong. That's just the nature of the game, and you wouldn't be sufficiently courageous if you tried to avoid every single reverse."
"I did not intend to get rich. I just wanted to get independent."
"Recognize and adapt to the true nature of the world around you; don't expect it to adapt to you."
Paul McCartney on George Harrison
Yesterday was the anniversary of Harrison death 22-years ago. (Via)
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
More Linky Links
More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Tucker Carlson Episode 42 on UFO's.
- Emergency rooms in at least 3 states divert patients after ransomware attack. (HT Steve Landry)
- Utah State QB give up final year of eligibility to become a Navy SEAL candidate. That he's a candidate should be stressed because the program is so difficult. Wish him the best!
Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Could the simple truth be that Mark Cuban sold his interest in the Dallas Mavericks because he heard Charlie Munger died and wants to take his place at Berkshire Hathaway? Wouldn't put such a crass play beyond Cuban's ken (just kidding - or am I). Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks (and please forgive my jest if you're a Mavericks fan).
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Football Hall of Fame releases list of semifinalists and next steps.
- SpaceX gets approval for second WiFi-6 router for Starlink. Price seems in line too.
- 10 ways Disney can improve their box office numbers this year.
- Vitalik's Techno-optimism. Long but well worth the read.
Charlie Munger's Quotes for Today
Some quotes from Charlie Munger, who passed away yesterday aged 99, that I hope may resonate with you.
"You don't have to be brilliant, only a little bit wiser than the other guys, on average, for a long time."
"The big money is not in buying or selling, but in waiting."
"A great business at a fair price is superior to a fair business at a great price."
"The safest way to get what you want is to try to deserve what you want."
"Those who keep learning, will keep rising in life."
"It is remarkable how much long-term advantage people like us have gotten by trying to be consistently not stupid, instead of trying to be very intelligent."
"Assume life will be very tough, and then ask if you can handle it. If the answer is yes, then you've won."
Or Jimmy Stewart's Cure for Bad Eyesight
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Last night I received a call from two high school friends - only to have the call go dead just after answering it. It was only then that I realized that it was all a dream and it was the middle of the night and I had to pee. My mind is devious. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks in advance!
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Jonathan Turley on how Adam Smith's invisible hand is slapping Disney in the face.
- Rolling Stones's 200 best songs of the 1980's.
- Tucker Carlson Episode 41: Dublin on Fire
- Did SI try to get away with fake, AI generated writers? Their human writers aren't happy.
Quotes for Today
Some quotes that I hope may resonate with you.
"Show me the incentive and I will show you the outcome." - Charlie Munger
"Society is like a stew. If you don't stir it up once in a while then a layer of scum floats to the top." - Edward Abbey
"We are all in conspiracy against the next man." - William Kennedy
"Envy is the tax which all distinctions must pay." - Henry David Thoreau
Ulysses S. Grant vs the Ku Klux Klan
The imperishable story of Grant's presidency was his campaign to crush the Ku Klux Klan. Though the Klan, white supremacists tried to overturn the Civil War's outcome and restore the status quo ante. No southern sheriff would arrest the hooded night riders who terrorized black citizens and no southern jury would convict them. Grant had to cope with a complete collapse of evenhanded law enforcement in the erstwhile Confederate states. In 1870 he oversaw creation of the Justice Department, its first duty to bring thousands of anti-Klan indictments.
Ulysses S. Grant staunch enemy of the Ku Klux Klan and founder of the Justice Department. Who knew?
Monday, November 27, 2023
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Jimmy Stewart was a real life Mr. Roberts. (Of course except for the ending and Stewart flying bombers instead of being in the Navy.)
- It was a lab leak the whole time - and those in charge knew
- How China is tearing down Islam. And the Islamic world says nothing.
Monday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Some have asked where these thoughts and observations posts come from. I simply have found that when I have one - I write it down or I will most likely forget it. When I have 10 or more I post them. Both sounds harder and easier than habit has made it. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Me and my habit thank you!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey, he is obligated to do so." - Thomas Jefferson
"Economic growth is not a cure-all, but lack of growth is a kill-all." - Paul Collier
"The dimensions of what we have fucked up in this country are beyond any coherent explanation." - Hunter S. Thompson
"It's hard to get really depressed until your dreams come true. Once your dreams come true and you realize you feel the same way you did before then you get a feeling of helplessness." - Rick Rubin
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Another reason Hockey fans are the best.
- Shane Parrish on Writing to Think
- Was China behind Sam Altman's firing? If you read one this this week - make it this article.
Some Memes You May Enjoy
Many a truth is said in jest.
- But getting a Hollywood star's opinion is fine.
- Don't care who you voted for - this is funny!
- Heh Heh
Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Enjoy your Sunday. I'll be spending a good part of the day watching the Pats-Giants game so not sure if you can rightfully say I'll be enjoying it. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link (the way most new readers find my efforts). Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"They were from below. And when you're up, you let no man pull you down. You roll your wagons over the faces of the enemies." - William Kennedy
"If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner." - Omar Bradley
"Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new." - Henry David Thoreau
"What one man calls God, another calls the laws of physics." - Nikola Tesla
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Democrats vs Republicans
This honestly surprised me on many levels. Surprised the numbers are so one sided but equally surprised how unions can remain so Democratically controlled when the hourly wage-earner is getting more and more conservative. Think that for every one Republican or Libertarian board member that's added that ROI for that company would increase 1% year over year. (Via)
The Last Waltz
The Martin Scorsese movie The Last Waltz about the final concert of The Band came out on this day 45-years ago. Garth Hudson on the organ (the oldest looking member of The Band when the movie was made) and director Scorsese are the only ones still with us (as far as I can tell).
Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Reminder that Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself. And that Bill Gates visited him on his island 37 times solely for good purposes. As a reminder - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Enjoy your Saturday.
Some Memes You May Enjoy
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed saying we've done something wonderful... that matters to me." - Steve Jobs
"The secrets to life are found behind the word 'cliche.'" - Shay Carl
"I find if the day is terrible, but I worked out, at the end of the day I'll go, 'Well, I had a good workout,' almost no matter what happens." - Stanley McChrystal
"The purpose of life is a life of purpose." - Robert Byrne
Friday, November 24, 2023
Billy Phelan's Greatest Game
Martin's view of his meeting with his father was this: that all sons are Isaac, all fathers are Abraham, and that all sons become Abrahams if they work at it long enough.
I devoured this book and highly recommend it. Already put another of Kennedy's works on my reading list.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- VDH on whither Europe? He doesn't say it but the EU and increased regulations are making them irrelevant.
- Reason: The Pilgrims dreamed of socialism, then socialism almost killed them. An old true story but with a new twist - John Stossel ties the story to student loan forgiveness.
- Noah Smith on why it may be time to take another hard look at the Egyptian economy.
Friday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Hope you enjoy your Black Friday. I'm going to try and follow Shane Parrish's advice today and if you're looking for something to do, you should try out his new book Clear Thinking. About half-way thought and I heartily recommend it. Thanks and don't forget to Subscribe, hit the Like button or share the Link.
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"The greatest remedy for anger is delay." - Seneca
"...he knew that despite his infidel ways, the remnants of tattered faith still had power over his mind." - William Kennedy
"You can't make a lousy charity good by having a low overhead." - Will MacAskill
"Not all confidence is created equally. Sometimes, it comes from a track of applying deep knowledge successfully, and other times it comes from the shallowness of reading an article. It's amazing how often the ego turns unearned knowledge into reckless confidence." - Shane Parrish
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Thanksgiving Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and though I'd share.
- David Sedaris: Punching Down. I'm a fan and if you're not familiar with his work you may want to listen to the article in Sedaris' own voice.
- A portrait of the Aztec's Tenochtitlan
- Morgan Housel on The Full Reset. Good history and life lessons. Have no sunk costs.
- VDH with a Toast to the Old Breed. Works for Thanksgiving too.
Some Memes You May Enjoy
Many a truth is said in jest.
- A little Black Friday humor.
- Don't tell me Lloyd Bridges isn't Sean Penn's dad (just kidding but you can't deny the resemblance).
- A little Thanksgiving humor (from the past)
- Funny Thanksgiving story from Gabe Kaplan (also from the archives)
Thanksgiving Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Just because its Turkey day doesn't mean my brain will stop having thoughts and observations. Here's a little something to enjoy today. And don't forget to Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Dr. Johnny Fever would want you to!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"I don't do focus groups." - Elon Musk
"Your reputation is your most important asset. It precedes you before you walk into a room and lingers after the work is done." - James Clear
"These are not assertions. What we're giving you are facts and conclusions based on solid intelligence." - Colin Powell
"Nothing clarifies gender roles as much as war." - Scott Adams
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Linky Links
Some stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Hamas has unleashed the West's monsters.
- 18 problems with education in the US today. Think paying parents not schools or homeschooling would be a good start to solving many of these.
- Analysis true! This needs to change somehow.
- Vanity Fair: Secret warnings about Wuhan research predated the pandemic. By more than 10 years!
Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
If you are traveling today for Thanksgiving please be safe. Remember the text can wait and saving 15 minutes isn't worth the risk you may not even know you're taking. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Like I said - have a safe Thanksgiving!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"In order to get the results we desire, we must do two things. We must first create the space to reason in our thought, feelings, and actions; and second, we must deliberately use that space to think clearly." - Shane Parrish
"Inherited wealth is as certain a death to ambition as cocaine is to morality." - William Vanderbilt
"A good commander is benevolent and unconcerned with fame." - Sun Tzu
"My ambition is handicapped by laziness." - Charles Bukowski
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Was not aware of the history regarding the Black Tom 1916 bombing.
- The biggest pot distributor in California has collapsed. The California system is setting companies up to fail. (HT The View from Lady Lake)
- Most of OpenAI's employees send letter to board tell them to resign or else. Interesting. As Paul Graham put it, "If 95% doesn't count as a vote of no confidence, what number would?"
- Donald Trump and Truth Social file suit for defamation against 20 media companies. The dam of lies is breaking!
Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Lots going on yesterday but not everything generated a thought or observation. Also have not written down the notes from any of the books I'm reading. Soon. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!
Some Memes You May Enjoy
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"Religion is a culture of faith; science is a culture of doubt." - Richard Feynman
"He knew them as worse than all bad weapons, because their existence justified their targets." - John le Carre
"While the rest of us are chasing victory, the best in the world know they must avoid losing before they can win. It turns out this is a surprisingly effective strategy." - Shane Parrish
"You can no more disconnect from the universe and its inhabitants than a wave can extricate itself from the ocean." - Dan Harris
Monday, November 20, 2023
More Linky Links
More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Where do we find such men? I'd support the MoH for this act.
- How to spot high agency people. Try to make these people your friends.
- Reason comes out against Nikki Haley's plan for the internet as unconstitutional. I agree.
- Elon Musk plans "thermonuclear" suit against George Soros and Media Matters. There's a special place in hell for George Soros and anyone at Media Matters.
Linky Links
Stuff I found amusing or interesting and thought I'd share.
- Napoleon's Ridley Scott on critics and cinema "bum ache"
- Teddy Roosevelt and the Man in the Arena speech.
- Did Shakespeare invent love? Interesting history.
- Reminder that yesterday was the anniversary of the first Calvin & Hobbes in 1985
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"The point of journalism is the truth. The point of journalism is to improve society." - Sebastian Junger
"Death makes everything else sad. But death only scares." - Ray Bradbury
"Having a phone in your pocket is like always carrying around a glazed donut that constantly temps you to snack on it - but if you do, you know it will ruin your appetite." - Ruby LaRocca
"More dreams die from a lack of confidence than a lack of competence. But while confidence is often a byproduct of accomplishments, it also comes from how you talk to yourself." - Shane Parrish
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address at 160
Not only is today the 160th anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address but it is also celebrated as Remembrance Day in Gettysburg.
Sam Altman and OpenAI
Not sure why but the Sam Altman situation at OpenAI and many of the staffers threatening to quit if he remains out as CEO reminded me of this scene from Mad Men.
Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
A little something for you to peruse on a Sunday will I have my second cup of coffee and take care of the dog. Enjoy! And please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. The dog would appreciate it!
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Jonathan Turley on Donald Trump's trials. Spoiler - he thinks Trumps wins all the cases against him.
- Ross Delinger and Dan Wetzel on Jim Harbaugh and Michigan's problems. Reminder they play Ohio State next Saturday,
- If Len Bias had lived to play for the Boston Celtics. One of the biggest "what if's" in history.
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking." - Charles Krauthammer
"The hardest thing you're ever going to do in your life is fail at something, and if you don't start failing at things, you will not live a full life." - Sebastian Junger
"Pensions, paychecks make men do things they shouldn't." - James O'Keefe
"I cultivate empty space as a way of life for the creative process." - Josh Waitzkin
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Sam Altman and Open AI
Altman and Musk later had a falling out with Elon leaving the company to Alman's control. Altman then made Chat GPT a for profit product and sold the company for billions to Microsoft. From Walter Isaacson's excellent book Elon Musk:
Instead, Musk unleashed a barrage of attacks on Open AI and Altman. "Open AI was created as an open-source (which is why I named it Open AI), non-profit company to serve as a counterweight to to Google, but now it has become a closed source, maximum-profit company effectively controlled by Microsoft," he said. "I'm still confused as to how a non-profit to which I donated $100M somehow became a $30B market cap for-profit. If this is legal, why doesn't everyone do it?" He called AI "the most powerful tool that mankind ever created," and then lamented that it was "now in the hands of a ruthless corporate monopoly,"
Yesterday Altman found out just how ruthless. Still waiting for the full story to come out but this is not good news for mankind.
Some Memes You May Enjoy
Many a truth is said in jest.
- Shouldn't laugh at this either (but I did)
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- An oral history of WKRP's classic Turkey Drop episode.
- Is Adam Schiff's (D-CA) main residence actually in Maryland? One also has to wonder f these "leaks" against Schiff are coming from the camps of other Dems running for the Senate from California.
Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Remember Michelle Obama holding up those "Bring back our girls" signs a couple of years ago? We are getting very close to regular people sending messages to Cher, Barbara Streisand, and Bruce Springsteen to "Take these crybabies with you." Very close. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link (remember that's the main way for new people to learn of my efforts). Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"If it's humanly possible, you can do it too." - Marcus Aurelius
"When I am weaker than you, I ask you for Freedom because that is according to your principles; when I am stronger than you, I take away your Freedom because that is according to my principles." - Frank Hebert
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein
"It important to talk to yourself about the adversity you've faced, because past hardship is where you get the confidence to face future hardship." - Shane Parrish
Friday, November 17, 2023
Friday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Know it's Friday but just seems strange to have a football weekend without a Patriots game to look forward to. Too early to get a Christmas tree too! As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks in advance!
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Budget miscalculations at the University of Arizona may lead to drastic cuts. Not mentioned in the article is that U of A has a $1.2 billion endowment fund. (HT Steve Landry)
- Why Albert Einstein never won a Nobel Prize for E=MC2
- Glenn Beck makes a vow. Hope he can keep it.
- AP said judge gives Trump a win in fraud trail. Not sure if they were talking about fraud being what the case was supposed to be about or the case itself.
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"Everything is theoretically impossible until it is done." - Robert Heinlein
"The world is a dangerous place to live not because pf the people are evil. But because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein
"Rationality is wasted if you don't know when to use it." - Shane Parrish
"Space the final frontier, meet me there." - Jeff Bezos
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Some Memes You May Enjoy
Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
There are a handful of people I'm an unabashed fan of - Elon Musk and Marc Andreessen being two and Donald Rumsfeld being another, Say what you will about any of them. Still a fan. If you agree - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten." - Benjamin Franklin
"For he thought, it's [3:00 a.m.] a special hour. Women never wake then, do they? But men of middle age? They know that hour well." - Ray Bradbury
"It is better to conquer grief than to deceive it." - Seneca
"Hard work can beat talent when talent doesn't work as hard." - Tim Notke
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- And just like that I added this hotel to my wish list.
- Interesting: Google's AI model for more accurate weather forecasting.
- There's a special place in hell for people who falsify data on Alzheimer's research.
AI
VC firms and companies attended an AI event yesterday geared towards keeping AI and AI development free. I agree. (Art via Marc Andreessen).
EDIT: May have to become more in tune with Marc's sense of irony. By quoting Atlas Shrugged think he's not on board with this. I trust Marc.
Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post on Substack.
Part of me wants Gavin Newsome to run for President just so average Americans can tell him just what they really think of what he's done to California. Similar to how Americans told Mike Bloomberg what they thought of him being a spoiled, little, tyrant in 2020. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks in advance!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"Experts are addicts. They solve nothing. They are servants of whatever system hires them." - John le Carre
""The strongest intellectual foundation is built upon science, math, and philosophy, as they are the search for universal truths." - Naval Ravikant
"It's a rare person who wants to hear what he doesn't want to hear." - Dick Cavett
"Nothing delights the mind as much as loving and loyal friendship." - Seneca
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Variety asks, "After 'The Marvels' bombs, what's next for the MCU?"
- In case anyone wonders who really is winning the chicken wars.
- In case anyone is wondering why Warner Brothers is backing off shelving Coyote vs ACME.
- Stellantis offers buy-outs to roughly half of North America's salaried workers. They say this is not related to the UAW strike which of course means it is related.
You Learn Something New Every Day
The sayings "upper case" and "lower case" came from the early days of the printing press. Makes a lot of sense but I never gave it much thought. (Via)
Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
It's Tuesday and I'm still trying to process all that went on in football (both college and the pros) this weekend. Big weekend for costing coaches their jobs in college. Will it be the pros turn next week? As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting you are special too." - Ernest Hemingway
"No one tries to win the moment at the expense of the decade, and yet that is often how it goes." - Shane Parrish
"'There is only now,' he explained finally, his voice now above a murmur, 'There is no other dimension but now. In the past we have done everything badly for the sake of the future. Now we must do everything right for the sake of the present.'" - John le Carre
"I write for the same reason a beaver eats wood, if I don't my teeth will grow long and poke through my brain." - David Mamet
Clear Thinking
- Self-accountability: holding yourself accountable for developing your abilities, managing your inabilities, and using reason to govern your actions.
- Self-knowledge: knowing your own strengths and weaknesses - and what you are capable of doing and what you're not.
- Self-control: mastering your fears, desires, and emotions.
- Self-confidence: trusting your abilities and your value to others.
Or as Parrish puts it, "If you train yourself to constantly think, feel, and act in ways that further your most important goals - if, in other words, you build strength - then inertia becomes a nearly unstoppable force that unlocks your potential."
It may seem that I'm almost reading the book for you or shilling for Shane Parrish but my real goal is to write down these life lessons as a way of trying to reinforce them in my mind. You should take them to heart as well.
Monday, November 13, 2023
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Jimbo Fisher fired by Texas A&M. This was hardly unexpected by it will cost them a lot!
- Remember the teen vaping "epidemic?" It was not an epidemic at all - in fact much better than the smoking it was replacing. (HT Steve Landry)
Monday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
To give credit where credit is due - Germany has outlawed any pro-Hamas group in their country. Zero tolerance for that. Good for them. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button or share the Link. Thanks!
Some Memes You May Enjoy
Many a truth is said in jest.
- I laughed at this though can't explain why I did
- Truth
- Also true.
- Genius
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"Once you are in a place where you've shored up your strengths and managed your weaknesses - when you've created the pause between thoughts and actions - you can turn clear thinking into effective decisions." - Shane Parrish
"Keep silent for the most part, and speak only when you must, and then briefly." - Epictetus
"Our desire to feel right overpowers or desire to be right." - Shane Parrish
"Every man's life ends the same way. It's only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another." - Ernest Hemingway
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Clear Thinking
Perhaps not surprisingly, the simple act of clapping has been used and abused by leaders throughout history. Professional clappers, called a claque, would often be positioned in theaters in opera houses. Claques have been used since at least the emperor Nero, whose performance was often applauded by thousands of soldiers. Once a few people star clapping, our social default takes hold and we find ourselves, much like I did, clapping without knowing why.
As Warren Buffett says a single lemming never gets bad PR. As they say in business, "No one ever got fired for buying Cisco." Or as one of Parrish's points states:
- "While we need divergence from the norm to make progress, not all divergence is advantageous."
- "Best practices aren't always the best. By definition they're average."
- "Fear holds us back from taking risks and reaching our potential."
- "Success requires shamelessness. So does failure."
Remember, you need to be right to be successful.
Or as Parrish writes about Princeton professor Robert George asking students if they'd have been abolitionists during the time of slavery and surprise they all said they would have been abolitionists. He doesn't come out and say it but this too was an example of some going along to get along.
Book has been well worth the read so far. I recommend it.
Linky Links
Some stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- The top US EV registrations by brand. One of these things is not like the others.
- Statement from Michigan AD on the suspension of Jim Harbaugh. Michigan rolled over Penn State on Saturday.
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"In order to get the results we desire, we must do two things. We must first create a space to reason in our thoughts, feelings, and actions: and second, we must deliberately use that space to think clearly." - Share Parrish
"I don't spend my time pontificating about high-concept things; I spend my time solving engineering and manufacturing problems." - Elon Musk
"What ever crushes individuality is despotism, no matter what name it is called." - John Stuart Mill
"People don't remember books, blogs, or articles. They remember sentences." - Morgan Housel
I'd Vote for This
Even better if we made this day a national holiday so nobody had an excuse. Best if that day was also April 15th the day state and federal taxes are due. (Via)
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Tucker Carlson Episode 38: the consequences of mocking Hillary Clinton.
- The Free Press with a tribute to a little known soldier. If you read one thing today - make it this tribute.
- VDH on squeezing the world's most vulnerable people.
- Big 10 suspends Jim Harbaugh for remaining Michigan games. Harbaugh tries for TRO. Get your popcorn ready.
Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Hope all those who wore a uniform enjoy Veteran's Day. You truly earned a day off this weekend. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks for your service.
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"Let's be clear: the work of science has nothing whatever to do with consensus. Consensus is the business of politics." - Michael Crichton
"Democrat run cities sure did love being sanctuary cities right up to the moment illegals started pouring in." - Catturd
"Desire is a contract you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want." - Naval Ravikant
"People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof but on the basis of what they find attractive." - Blaise Pascal
Friday, November 10, 2023
8 Tactics for Dealing with Haters
1. It doesn't matter how many people don't get it. What matters is how many people do.
2. 10% of people will find a way to take anything personally. Expect it and treat it as math.
3. When it doubt, starve it of oxygen. Attention is the same as oxygen to the haters.
4. If you respond, don't over-apologize.
5. You can't reason someone out of something they didn't reason themselves into. Don't get down in the mud with a pig.
6. "Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity." - Colin Powell. Self-explanatory.
7. "If you want to improve, be content to be though foolish and stupid." - Epictetus. One of the rules to live by.
8. "Living well is the best revenge." - George Herbert. Have seen this quote attributed to many but the truth remains.
Some Memes You May Enjoy
Many a truth is said in jest.
- And just like that James Dolan raises Knicks tickets by $10 each.
- Heh Heh
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Today's the anniversary. Be sure to play the song or raise a glass.
Friday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Tomorrow is November 11th and the 11th minute of the 11th hour traditionally signified the end of World War I. With the end of WW II the day was changed to Veteran's Day and was still celebrated on the 11th. Now some people will celebrate it today with other celebrating it Monday for the day off it's become while less and less about the Veteran's. That's not right in my opinion. As always please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. And be sure to thank a Veteran this weekend.
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"The really efficient laborer will be found not to crowd his day with work, but will saunter to his task surrounded by a wide halo of ease and leisure." - Henry David Thoreau
"Guilt [is] interesting because guilt is the flip side of prestige, and they're both horrible reasons to do things." - Maria Popova
"Man is in love, and loves what vanishes." - W.B. Yeats
"The first rule of handling conflict is don't hang around people who we are constantly engaging in conflict." - Naval Ravikant
Thursday, November 09, 2023
More Linky Links
More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- VDH on the incredible lightness of Barack Obama.
- Who knew? Nick Saban is a car sales mogul who drives a Ferrari Portofino.
- The Free Press on Anthony Fauci's deceptions. He should be in jail.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- What people were dying from in London 1665.
- Some timeless advice from Chris Dixon. Memento mori.
- Hope one of these suspended cops run for Mayor of Nashville. They'd have my vote.
- Silicon Valley VC's wanted so bad to believe SBF's lies. Now they want you to believe their excuses.
Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Have seen many boneheaded ideas in my time the Congress authorizing a car "kill switch" takes the cake. We have a whole generation that would almost prefer not to get their license in the first place which makes you wonder if those in government are making the DMV a bad experience on purpose. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope resonate with you.
"I think that to truly experience the light and the bright, you have to see the darkness. I think if you shield yourself from the darkness, you'll not appreciate - and fully understand - the beauty of life." - Jocko Willink
"Better to have, and not need, than to need, and not have." - Franz Kafka
"The culture of news is culture without nuance." - Ziya
"Those that work much, do not work hard." - Henry David Thoreau
Wednesday, November 08, 2023
Some Memes You May Enjoy
Many a truth is said in jest.
- Surprised he didn't blame the NRA or Republicans (look at the date)
- Heh Heh
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Great film soundtracks. Trying to think if he's missed any.
- Who knew? Uber has a freight division. Wonder how well they pay their drivers?
- Esquire's profile of Don Wildman: The World's Healthiest 75-year Old Man. Even though Wildman died five years ago this profile is worth reading - no matter your age.
- Tucker Carlson Episode 37. Was less than 1 million views when I first saw this.
Michigan Sign Stealing Scandal
Why Connor Stallions story of being a lone wolf may not be so crazy.
Have a new post up on Substack defending Connor Stallions. Hope you like it!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
"To live his life in his own way, to call his house his castle, to enjoy the fruits of his own labor, to educate his children as his conscience directs, to save for their prosperity after his death - these are wishes deeply ingrained in civilized man." - C.S. Lewis
"If you only look for patterns of the past, you won't venture far." - Scott Belsky
"If you don't give young men a good and useful group to belong to belong to, they will create a bad group to belong to." - Sebastian Junger
"Stay humble or get humbled." - Jocko Willink
Tuesday, November 07, 2023
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