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{{m}}{{t|Maxim}}s for a happy life. | {{m}}{{t|Maxim}}s for a happy life. | ||
===Don’t be giddy=== | ===Don’t be giddy=== | ||
*[[This time is different|This time ''isn’t'' different]]. The laws of physics, finance and economics still apply. Even to {{strike|[[blockchain]] | *[[This time is different|This time ''isn’t'' different]]. The laws of physics, finance and economics still apply. Even to {{strike|[[blockchain]]|[[ChatGPT]]}}. Just as they did before, during and after the dotcom boom, the [[global financial crisis]], [[Brexit]] and [[COVID]]. | ||
*[[Be skeptical]]. The internet has given every person on the planet the power to publish whatever pops into her head, to the whole world. See? ''The [[JC]] is doing it now''. There is no bullshit filter anymore. Assume everything you hear and read to be nonsense until you have good reason to believe it is not. | *[[Be skeptical]]. The internet has given every person on the planet the power to publish whatever pops into her head, to the whole world. See? ''The [[JC]] is doing it now''. There is no bullshit filter anymore. Assume everything you hear and read to be nonsense until you have good reason to believe it is not. | ||
:''Subrule'': The more ''recent'' it is, the more ''likely'' it is to be bullshit, since [[Evolution by natural selection|natural selection]] hasn’t had a chance to weed it out: better ideas withstand scrutiny. Scrutiny comes with time. ''See'': {{maxim|Disdain fashionable things. Especially ideas.}} | :''Subrule'': The more ''recent'' it is, the more ''likely'' it is to be bullshit, since [[Evolution by natural selection|natural selection]] hasn’t had a chance to weed it out: better ideas withstand scrutiny. Scrutiny comes with time. ''See'': {{maxim|Disdain fashionable things. Especially ideas.}} | ||
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*[[Don’t join in]]. From the pages of the contrarian handbook. ''It’s okay not to be joiner-inner''. It's ''best'' not to be a joiner-inner. If you’re the guy from BlackRock who ''didn’t'' post an #iam message ... ''good for you.'' That took a ton more courage. | *[[Don’t join in]]. From the pages of the contrarian handbook. ''It’s okay not to be joiner-inner''. It's ''best'' not to be a joiner-inner. If you’re the guy from BlackRock who ''didn’t'' post an #iam message ... ''good for you.'' That took a ton more courage. | ||
*{{maxim|Disdain fashionable things. Especially ideas.}} | *{{maxim|Disdain fashionable things. Especially ideas.}} | ||
*[[Be suspicious of leaders]]. Especially leaders with their own svengalis. People who are at the top of their field — Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Peter Thiel —are as likely there by good luck and timing as skill and judgement. Make up your own mind. By all means buy the product, but why buy the philosophy of a guy who may well just have fluked it? Principle applies to leaders who themselves slavishly follow a svengali. [[Ayn Rand]] is a red flag. | *[[Be suspicious of leaders]]. Especially leaders with their own svengalis. People who are at the top of their field — Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Peter Thiel —are as likely there by good luck and timing as skill and judgement. Make up your own mind. By all means buy the product, but why buy the philosophy of a guy who may well just have fluked it? Principle applies to leaders who themselves slavishly follow a svengali. [[Ayn Rand]] is a red flag. | ||
*[[Ignore pop stars when they talk about politics]]. Would you listen to politicians when they talk about pop music? | |||
===Harden up=== | ===Harden up=== | ||
*{{maxim|The glass is half full.}} ''Always''. ''Whoever'' you are, ''wherever'' you are. If you have the time, resources and cognitive ability to read ''this'' diatribe, you’re one of the lucky ones. ''For Christ’s sake, buck up''. | *{{maxim|The glass is half full.}} ''Always''. ''Whoever'' you are, ''wherever'' you are. If you have the time, resources and cognitive ability to read ''this'' diatribe, you’re one of the lucky ones. ''For Christ’s sake, buck up''. | ||
*{{maxim|Don’t be a victim}}. ''Own'' your predicament, don’t whine about it. If you can’t be the predator at least don’t be prey. See also: [[don’t talk your own book]]. | *{{maxim|Don’t be a victim}}. ''Own'' your predicament, don’t whine about it. If you can’t be the predator at least don’t be prey. See also: [[don’t talk your own book]]. | ||
*If you’re a man, [[be masculine]]. Don’t apologise for who you are. Be a hero, do not wear a cape. Be like Zelensky. (''Be'' a hero; [[substance]]. ''Wearing'' a cape: [[form]].) | *If you’re a man, [[be masculine]]. Masculinity is not inherently toxic. It is to be strong, not powerful. It is to be chivalrous. It is to have come to terms with who you are. Don’t apologise for who you are. *Be a hero, do not wear a cape. Be like Zelensky. (''Be'' a hero; [[substance]]. ''Wearing'' a cape: [[form]].) | ||
*[[Strive neither to give offence or take it]]. Don’t indulge those who do. Deliberately ''giving'' office is oafish, negative and counterproductive. ''Taking'' offence is cowardly and anti-intellectual. To be offended is to have no better reason to disagree. | *[[Strive neither to give offence or take it]]. Don’t indulge those who do. Deliberately ''giving'' office is oafish, negative and counterproductive. ''Taking'' offence is cowardly and anti-intellectual. To be offended is to have no better reason to disagree. | ||
*[[Don’t be needy]]. Walk up escalators. Give up your seat. See: [[You’re one of the lucky ones]]. | *[[Don’t be needy]]. Walk up escalators. Give up your seat. See: [[You’re one of the lucky ones]]. | ||
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*[[It’s just a game]]: If you derive a significant part of your self-worth from the fortunes of a dozen well-paid men<ref>Footballers.</ref> you’ve never met and over whom you have no influence, ask yourself this: is that all there is? is something ''missing'' in your life? | *[[It’s just a game]]: If you derive a significant part of your self-worth from the fortunes of a dozen well-paid men<ref>Footballers.</ref> you’ve never met and over whom you have no influence, ask yourself this: is that all there is? is something ''missing'' in your life? | ||
*[[It’s okay to generalise]]. It’s okay to ''stereotype''. ''That’s how humans work''. We apply [[heuristic]]s. Just be ''aware'' that you’re doing it. Sometimes, generalisations are unfair. Some fail. ''All'' are provisional. It’s okay for others to stereotype you too. Deal with it: it’s not like you can stop them. | *[[It’s okay to generalise]]. It’s okay to ''stereotype''. ''That’s how humans work''. We apply [[heuristic]]s. Just be ''aware'' that you’re doing it. Sometimes, generalisations are unfair. Some fail. ''All'' are provisional. It’s okay for others to stereotype you too. Deal with it: it’s not like you can stop them. | ||
===People are arseholes=== | ===People are arseholes=== | ||
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===[[Don’t be that guy]]=== | ===[[Don’t be that guy]]=== | ||
*[[Do your talking on the pitch]]. And [[leave it on the pitch|leave it there]]. | *[[Do your talking on the pitch]]. And [[leave it on the pitch|leave it there]]. | ||
*[[Stay on your feet]]. Don’t [[diver|dive]]. Ever | *[[Stay on your feet]]. Don’t [[diver|dive]]. ''Ever''. | ||
*[[Don’t be that guy]]<ref>If you said, “''or'' girl,” ''you’re being that guy''. ([[and/or]] girl, [[as the case may be]].)</ref>. | *[[Don’t be that guy]]<ref>If you said, “''or'' girl,” ''you’re being that guy''. ([[and/or]] girl, [[as the case may be]].)</ref>. | ||
*[[Let it go]]. In the immortal words of the East-Enders script-writing collective, “[[Leave it, Phil. He’s not worth it|LEAVE IT, PHIL. HE’S NOT WORTH IT]].” | *[[Let it go]]. In the immortal words of the East-Enders script-writing collective, “[[Leave it, Phil. He’s not worth it|LEAVE IT, PHIL. HE’S NOT WORTH IT]].” | ||