Luke Parrish
@lsparrish.bsky.social
Generalist specializing in antimatter production https://antimatter.productions/
Also a 40yo college student
Also a 40yo college student
Tanner Greer had some interesting insights. Apparently LDS teenagers give talks at church, and are involved in event planning and so on. I kind of wish there could be a secular equivalent for nerdy folks
www.aaronrenn.com/p/what-kille...
www.aaronrenn.com/p/what-kille...
What Killed America’s Can-Do Culture? | Tanner Greer
Listen now | Why can't America build like it used to?
www.aaronrenn.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Tanner Greer had some interesting insights. Apparently LDS teenagers give talks at church, and are involved in event planning and so on. I kind of wish there could be a secular equivalent for nerdy folks
www.aaronrenn.com/p/what-kille...
www.aaronrenn.com/p/what-kille...
I do NOT endorse the tariffs.
This is basically like a war, it's unnecessary, and will make people suffer, it's bad. I voted against Trump. My side lost.
That doesn't mean we can't get something good out of it, in the course of adapting to this adverse outcome.
This is basically like a war, it's unnecessary, and will make people suffer, it's bad. I voted against Trump. My side lost.
That doesn't mean we can't get something good out of it, in the course of adapting to this adverse outcome.
April 7, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I do NOT endorse the tariffs.
This is basically like a war, it's unnecessary, and will make people suffer, it's bad. I voted against Trump. My side lost.
That doesn't mean we can't get something good out of it, in the course of adapting to this adverse outcome.
This is basically like a war, it's unnecessary, and will make people suffer, it's bad. I voted against Trump. My side lost.
That doesn't mean we can't get something good out of it, in the course of adapting to this adverse outcome.
I imagine good faith counterarguments are possible to advance here.
It sounding like sci-fi is inarguably correct, but has no bearing on reality one way or another. I think you might be confused by the distinction between sci-fi and fantasy? Or are pretending to be? I don't understand.
It sounding like sci-fi is inarguably correct, but has no bearing on reality one way or another. I think you might be confused by the distinction between sci-fi and fantasy? Or are pretending to be? I don't understand.
April 5, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I imagine good faith counterarguments are possible to advance here.
It sounding like sci-fi is inarguably correct, but has no bearing on reality one way or another. I think you might be confused by the distinction between sci-fi and fantasy? Or are pretending to be? I don't understand.
It sounding like sci-fi is inarguably correct, but has no bearing on reality one way or another. I think you might be confused by the distinction between sci-fi and fantasy? Or are pretending to be? I don't understand.
I'm not suggesting Trump could have persuaded anyone directly with this as the plan from the get go (he probably does believe his nonsense). Only that it could work.
No magic needed. Just known industrial and lab processes, automated, integrated, etc.
Hard but solvable enough if there's incentive.
No magic needed. Just known industrial and lab processes, automated, integrated, etc.
Hard but solvable enough if there's incentive.
April 5, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I'm not suggesting Trump could have persuaded anyone directly with this as the plan from the get go (he probably does believe his nonsense). Only that it could work.
No magic needed. Just known industrial and lab processes, automated, integrated, etc.
Hard but solvable enough if there's incentive.
No magic needed. Just known industrial and lab processes, automated, integrated, etc.
Hard but solvable enough if there's incentive.
I'm a little torn because I want to see self replicating factories get built and policies that harm trade help this. Can't lose your supply chain if it's all located in the same building.
April 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
I'm a little torn because I want to see self replicating factories get built and policies that harm trade help this. Can't lose your supply chain if it's all located in the same building.
Not that woo it you think about it! Centering yourself works because your body is really good at tracking the center of gravity and making tiny adjustments to *literally* center you because that's how you learn to walk and stand.
That brain area gets *deeply* well trained on *lots* of data.
That brain area gets *deeply* well trained on *lots* of data.
January 16, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Not that woo it you think about it! Centering yourself works because your body is really good at tracking the center of gravity and making tiny adjustments to *literally* center you because that's how you learn to walk and stand.
That brain area gets *deeply* well trained on *lots* of data.
That brain area gets *deeply* well trained on *lots* of data.
OK I narrowed it down a bit further and it appears simultaneously in 3 publications in January 1849:
Theological Medium, Genesee Farmer, and American Agriculturalist
Seems a little early for Thoreau to have inspired. Possibly vice versa wrt the investment in goodness quote
Theological Medium, Genesee Farmer, and American Agriculturalist
Seems a little early for Thoreau to have inspired. Possibly vice versa wrt the investment in goodness quote
December 20, 2024 at 9:58 AM
OK I narrowed it down a bit further and it appears simultaneously in 3 publications in January 1849:
Theological Medium, Genesee Farmer, and American Agriculturalist
Seems a little early for Thoreau to have inspired. Possibly vice versa wrt the investment in goodness quote
Theological Medium, Genesee Farmer, and American Agriculturalist
Seems a little early for Thoreau to have inspired. Possibly vice versa wrt the investment in goodness quote
Thanks! At least that's something, and Thoreau is the right time period.
When I first encountered this, I was asking ChatGPT for a random Franklin quote. When I couldn't find a primary source, I sort of assumed it was the bot's failure. Turns out it was humans 😅
When I first encountered this, I was asking ChatGPT for a random Franklin quote. When I couldn't find a primary source, I sort of assumed it was the bot's failure. Turns out it was humans 😅
December 20, 2024 at 3:38 AM
Thanks! At least that's something, and Thoreau is the right time period.
When I first encountered this, I was asking ChatGPT for a random Franklin quote. When I couldn't find a primary source, I sort of assumed it was the bot's failure. Turns out it was humans 😅
When I first encountered this, I was asking ChatGPT for a random Franklin quote. When I couldn't find a primary source, I sort of assumed it was the bot's failure. Turns out it was humans 😅
I wouldn't be offended if you follow me, just saying
December 19, 2024 at 7:14 PM
I wouldn't be offended if you follow me, just saying
Whups, I got the title wrong. "The Way to Wealth"
You can read it here:
www.gutenberg.org/files/43855/...
You can read it here:
www.gutenberg.org/files/43855/...
The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Way to Wealth, by Benjamin Franklin.
www.gutenberg.org
December 19, 2024 at 7:10 PM
Whups, I got the title wrong. "The Way to Wealth"
You can read it here:
www.gutenberg.org/files/43855/...
You can read it here:
www.gutenberg.org/files/43855/...
I suspect the real Dr. Franklin would be rolling in his grave (or Madeira cask, if he'd gone through with that), wondering how it could go so wrong.
Then again, the country he helped found still existing 241 years in the future is quite the achievement.
Then again, the country he helped found still existing 241 years in the future is quite the achievement.
December 19, 2024 at 7:06 PM
I suspect the real Dr. Franklin would be rolling in his grave (or Madeira cask, if he'd gone through with that), wondering how it could go so wrong.
Then again, the country he helped found still existing 241 years in the future is quite the achievement.
Then again, the country he helped found still existing 241 years in the future is quite the achievement.
Does this have bad consequences for us today? Sure seems so.
The cost of higher education grows at an obscene rate, and non-dischargable student loans are the default option to pay for it.
How did the idea of ruining young people financially to give them an education become normalized?
The cost of higher education grows at an obscene rate, and non-dischargable student loans are the default option to pay for it.
How did the idea of ruining young people financially to give them an education become normalized?
December 19, 2024 at 7:06 PM
Does this have bad consequences for us today? Sure seems so.
The cost of higher education grows at an obscene rate, and non-dischargable student loans are the default option to pay for it.
How did the idea of ruining young people financially to give them an education become normalized?
The cost of higher education grows at an obscene rate, and non-dischargable student loans are the default option to pay for it.
How did the idea of ruining young people financially to give them an education become normalized?
But the likely case, I think, is that some (probably well-meaning, but unethical) education reform activist working for some propaganda periodical just fabricated it and added Franklin's name dishonestly. Explains the whole midwitted sexist-pretentious thing.
December 19, 2024 at 7:06 PM
But the likely case, I think, is that some (probably well-meaning, but unethical) education reform activist working for some propaganda periodical just fabricated it and added Franklin's name dishonestly. Explains the whole midwitted sexist-pretentious thing.
It's possible this was in some edition of Poor Richard's Almanack (he wasn't the only author), and it's possible that some other "Dr. Franklin" (popular baby name in that time period) came up with it. Or perhaps someone wrote down a speech he gave orally?
December 19, 2024 at 7:06 PM
It's possible this was in some edition of Poor Richard's Almanack (he wasn't the only author), and it's possible that some other "Dr. Franklin" (popular baby name in that time period) came up with it. Or perhaps someone wrote down a speech he gave orally?
The phrasing also seems... low verbal IQ. For a writer at Franklin's level. (No witty play on "best interest", for real?)
I couldn't find comparable examples of whatever you call it, the whole masculine pronoun thing, in Franklin's own writings, either.
I couldn't find comparable examples of whatever you call it, the whole masculine pronoun thing, in Franklin's own writings, either.
December 19, 2024 at 7:06 PM
The phrasing also seems... low verbal IQ. For a writer at Franklin's level. (No witty play on "best interest", for real?)
I couldn't find comparable examples of whatever you call it, the whole masculine pronoun thing, in Franklin's own writings, either.
I couldn't find comparable examples of whatever you call it, the whole masculine pronoun thing, in Franklin's own writings, either.
The biggest problem with the quote IMO is how out of character it would be for Franklin to recommend to young people to empty their purse.
Sure, he always advocated for education, but *never* at the expense of thrift! He advocated for libraries and schools free of charge, not student loans.
Sure, he always advocated for education, but *never* at the expense of thrift! He advocated for libraries and schools free of charge, not student loans.
December 19, 2024 at 7:06 PM
The biggest problem with the quote IMO is how out of character it would be for Franklin to recommend to young people to empty their purse.
Sure, he always advocated for education, but *never* at the expense of thrift! He advocated for libraries and schools free of charge, not student loans.
Sure, he always advocated for education, but *never* at the expense of thrift! He advocated for libraries and schools free of charge, not student loans.
I cannot find a credible primary source on it.
The earliest sources I could find on archive.org are like, pro-education propaganda periodicals.
Top ranking google results link it to "The Way of Wealth" which certainly does *not* contain anything resembling this. Super sketch.
The earliest sources I could find on archive.org are like, pro-education propaganda periodicals.
Top ranking google results link it to "The Way of Wealth" which certainly does *not* contain anything resembling this. Super sketch.
December 19, 2024 at 7:06 PM
I cannot find a credible primary source on it.
The earliest sources I could find on archive.org are like, pro-education propaganda periodicals.
Top ranking google results link it to "The Way of Wealth" which certainly does *not* contain anything resembling this. Super sketch.
The earliest sources I could find on archive.org are like, pro-education propaganda periodicals.
Top ranking google results link it to "The Way of Wealth" which certainly does *not* contain anything resembling this. Super sketch.
On the topic of Pedantic Moments: Have you seen this phrase?
"If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
It's been attributed to Ben Franklin since ~ a century after he died.
"If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
It's been attributed to Ben Franklin since ~ a century after he died.
December 19, 2024 at 7:06 PM
On the topic of Pedantic Moments: Have you seen this phrase?
"If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
It's been attributed to Ben Franklin since ~ a century after he died.
"If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
It's been attributed to Ben Franklin since ~ a century after he died.
As a bit of a megastructure fanatic, I like the idea of making artificial islands out of ice. Check out the square footage on that thing, it's huge.
(I'm not saying to use a natural iceberg because I think you want to add insulating layers and structural support before the ice forms)
(I'm not saying to use a natural iceberg because I think you want to add insulating layers and structural support before the ice forms)
December 19, 2024 at 3:30 AM
As a bit of a megastructure fanatic, I like the idea of making artificial islands out of ice. Check out the square footage on that thing, it's huge.
(I'm not saying to use a natural iceberg because I think you want to add insulating layers and structural support before the ice forms)
(I'm not saying to use a natural iceberg because I think you want to add insulating layers and structural support before the ice forms)
My thoughts: Health Insurance (so-called?) does at least three bad things.
1) Discourages price comparison. Prices routinely aren't discussed beforehand if you have insurance.
2) Leaves patients liable when claims are denied.
3) Soaks up the PR damage when price:quality ratio is bad.
1) Discourages price comparison. Prices routinely aren't discussed beforehand if you have insurance.
2) Leaves patients liable when claims are denied.
3) Soaks up the PR damage when price:quality ratio is bad.
December 19, 2024 at 12:01 AM
My thoughts: Health Insurance (so-called?) does at least three bad things.
1) Discourages price comparison. Prices routinely aren't discussed beforehand if you have insurance.
2) Leaves patients liable when claims are denied.
3) Soaks up the PR damage when price:quality ratio is bad.
1) Discourages price comparison. Prices routinely aren't discussed beforehand if you have insurance.
2) Leaves patients liable when claims are denied.
3) Soaks up the PR damage when price:quality ratio is bad.
Health care should be a rational investment, money for time. It's not exactly fitting that description lately.
Your colleague @robinhanson.bsky.social proposed a rather interesting solution to the problem 30 years ago. Perhaps due some consideration?
www.overcomingbias.com/p/buy-health...
Your colleague @robinhanson.bsky.social proposed a rather interesting solution to the problem 30 years ago. Perhaps due some consideration?
www.overcomingbias.com/p/buy-health...
Buy Health Update
29 years ago, as a first year grad student, I published one of my best ideas:
www.overcomingbias.com
December 18, 2024 at 11:57 PM
Health care should be a rational investment, money for time. It's not exactly fitting that description lately.
Your colleague @robinhanson.bsky.social proposed a rather interesting solution to the problem 30 years ago. Perhaps due some consideration?
www.overcomingbias.com/p/buy-health...
Your colleague @robinhanson.bsky.social proposed a rather interesting solution to the problem 30 years ago. Perhaps due some consideration?
www.overcomingbias.com/p/buy-health...
I've always wondered that. Perhaps because it's a commonly used word in addition to a precise scientific term, and science writers don't think they can persuade the public to use the new version?
Would we then need to start referring to electricity as negatricity and electronics as negatronics?
Would we then need to start referring to electricity as negatricity and electronics as negatronics?
December 14, 2024 at 4:45 AM
I've always wondered that. Perhaps because it's a commonly used word in addition to a precise scientific term, and science writers don't think they can persuade the public to use the new version?
Would we then need to start referring to electricity as negatricity and electronics as negatronics?
Would we then need to start referring to electricity as negatricity and electronics as negatronics?