Published in Philosophistry·Jun 20Religions Are Value CartelsIn the 4th episode of the British series Red Dwarf, we learn that the cat people have destroyed themselves due to Holy Wars over which color hat is the right one. These creatures were initially the descendants of the main character’s pregnant cat. But after three million years of isolation…Religion4 min read
Published in Philosophistry·Feb 1060% HappyWhat game design can tell us about the nature of happiness — Does evolution want us to be happy? I’m starting to think no. Instead, it appears that evolution wants us to be happy only 60% of the time. Everywhere I look, the number 60% shows up. If you look at happiness studies, learning theory, and game design (specifically D&D and slot…Happiness7 min read
Published in Philosophistry·Nov 7, 2021How come male peacocks have beautiful feathers, but not female peahens?How come in the Animal Kingdom it’s the male peacock who has the more visually attractive traits, but for humans, it’s the women? And it’s not just peacocks, but male mallard ducks and male birds-of-paradise (see: Dancing with the Birds). Outside of the bird species, male mammals are arguably more…Evolution3 min read
Published in Philosophistry·Jul 2, 2021Archaelogical FuturismIf a meteor killed all humans and destroyed most of civilization, what would a curious alien find? Most likely they would discover a cell phone screen here, a half-sneaker there, and some bits of a gun over there — all traces of modern civilization. The odds that aliens would ever…Futurism2 min read
Published in Philosophistry·Apr 25, 2021Why Are Northern Countries More Successful Than Southern Ones?Why are countries in colder climates more successful than warmer ones? The French philosopher Montesquieu answered this question back in 1725: cold air constricts the extremities of the external fibres of the body; this increases their elasticity, and favours the return of the blood from the extreme parts to the…History6 min read
Published in Philosophistry·Feb 20, 2021The Great SlackHow Underemployment Will Define the 21st Century — Wouldn’t it make sense to celebrate unemployment instead of wringing our hands about job loss numbers? It’s a counterintuitive and possibly offensive thought, but only because of our collective misunderstanding about the true nature of work in America. Who is actually working in America? Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez likes to bring up the single mom working two…Unemployment5 min read
Published in Philosophistry·Dec 4, 2020An Origin Story for AtheistsThe easiest wins in spirituality are origin stories. There is something incredibly satisfying about the idea that we were created in “His image.” For an atheist, though, there isn’t an obvious parallel, except in evolution. …Atheism2 min read
Published in Philosophistry·Oct 10, 2020Are Private Markets the Best Source of Innovation?We forget that for most of human history, innovation didn’t come from free markets, but from whatever was the closest largesse, whether it was for the glory of the Crown or Church, or sponsored by a local warlord or rich patron. …Innovation3 min read
Published in Philosophistry·Aug 4, 2020What is filling the hole left by religion?Self-help books represent the next step in the evolution of our collective consciousness. It might sound like a stretch, but if we consider that religion was once how society told its story to itself, then the recent erosion of religion is creating a new kind of story. Norm-gatherers Believers often defend…Religion4 min read
Published in Philosophistry·May 2, 2020Accumulation Theory of History“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme” — unknown Both conspiracy theorists and Marxists share a flawed viewed of history, of “us versus them.” Conspiracy theorists see a world run by a “secret cabal” and Marxists see one run by resource and labor exploiters. But they’re both saying the…History7 min read
