Manipulation Archives

An angry person with an exploding cloud over their head looking at a computer screen with a news article on it. The headline is "BIG SCARY HEADLINE", and the body of the news article begins "Now that we have your attention, it's really not that bad..."

Never Made It Past the Headline – 7 Takeaways No. 288

Read before sharing. Laugh for longevity. Sit still, if you can. Changing social norms. Pain hurts. Fear doesn’t lie. Getting older. Lies, damned lies, and statistics.

A donkey and an elephant engaged in a dramatic battle in an ancient Roman coliseum. The scene is depicted with thick, bold lines and intricate textures typical of traditional woodcut art, emphasizing contrast and detail in a black-and-white or limited color palette. The animals face each other with intense expressions, standing upright in combat, while the coliseum surrounds them with classic arches and a sandy floor. A large crowd watches from the stands, adding depth and atmosphere to the scene.

Politics Is a Bloodsport Not a Religion – 7 Takeaways No. 204

Ready, Fight! Try not to freak out. Does politics improve the world? The other guys are getting fooled. Be careful what you measure. Rage as an attempt to feel. The internet takes (your) work.

An individual on a city street shoveling a nine-foot-high pile of horse manure, depicted in the style of a 19th-century newspaper illustration.

Nine Feet of Feces – 7 Takeaways No. 194

Use your phone to read. Possible piles of poop. Fiction matters. Learning from failure. Making life choices. Critical reading skills. Boring.

A group of people walking past a traditional library. All the people are looking down at their phones, absorbed in their screens, while the library behind them stands mostly unnoticed. The library building is grand and classic, with large columns and a sign that clearly identifies it as a library. The people are dressed in modern, casual clothing, and their attention is entirely on their smartphones. The scene is set in daylight, with a slightly melancholic tone, highlighting the contrast between the focus on digital devices and the neglect of traditional reading spaces.

Reading Is Not As Necessary As It Once Was – 7 Takeaways No. 193

Mud-colored glasses. Playing in the street. Connections are complicated (and important). Telling yourself stories. Dare to see stupid. Does reading matter? (YES!) Taking risks.

A stereotypical 30-year-old man in his parents' basement, sitting at a computer and yelling at it. The basement is cluttered with old furniture, boxes, and gaming posters on the walls. The man has a frustrated expression, with his mouth open in a yell, furrowed brows, and clenched fists. The lighting is dim, with a single overhead light casting shadows.

Online Crowds Can Be As Unthinking As In-person Ones – 7 Takeaways No. 191

Rocking chair time? Politics will get worse before it gets better. Special ideas often aren’t. Even when not lies, statistics often mislead. The irrationality of crowds. Go ahead, look the fool. Read.

An image depicting a jungle explorer, dressed in a practical outdoor outfit including a wide-brimmed hat, using a machete to clear dense foliage in a thick jungle. The explorer is focused and determined, with a look of adventure in their eyes. The jungle around him is lush and vibrant, filled with various shades of green, and the light filters through the canopy above, creating a dappled effect on the ground. This scene captures the essence of exploration and the challenge of navigating through untamed nature.

The Person Who Clears The Path Controls Its Direction – 7 Takeaways No. 170

Following the instructions. Doing the work. The value of curation. Your memory might not be what you think. Politics is disgusting. Can you believe that photo? Optimism as a longevity hack. Reading great content.

A donkey in a pasture. The donkey is being led by a carrot dangled in front of it. The pasture is lush and green, under a clear blue sky. The donkey is focused on the carrot, which is tied to a stick held by an unseen person. The scene captures the humor and determination of the donkey, with the carrot just out of reach.

Behavior Is Determined By Incentives – 7 Takeaways No. 163

Two takeaways about motivation and incentives, plus free speech, entrepreneurship, deepfakes, gratitude, and realizing some relationships may just be getting in your way.