This video takes us on a journey to the end of time, trillions of years into the future, to discover what the fate of our planet and our universe may ultimately be. Fascinating, truly fascinating! [Thank you Adrian Hilti for pointing me to this video.] PDF
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Consider Using a Pen Name
We live in a time where the default is to use your real name for writing. This was not always the case, as I learned in Benjamin Franklin’s biography. 300 years ago the default was to use a pen name. For good reason, as speaking your mind could be dangerous. This got me thinking. Why…
How to Block Spam Calls
Marketing and spam calls are annoying. A great way to block them is by installing a spam blocker app on your phone. I am using Truecaller and also the local.ch app to block spam calls. Depending on where you live there might be other local blockers to complement Truecaller which works globally. Bye bye spam…
Power Nap with Binaural Beats
I enjoy taking occasional power naps after lunch or in the afternoon. I rarely fall asleep, but when I do, it really is refreshing. One tool I discovered are Binaural Beats: A binaural beat is an auditory illusion perceived when two different pure-tone sine waves, both with frequencies lower than 1500 Hz, with less than…
This too shall pass
Life is a roller coaster with lots of ups and downs. It sometimes is a struggle to keep a balance, to not get carried away by the extremes. I have found the following mantra useful: “This too shall pass.” It’s a reminder that, given time, most things revert to the mean. Feeling bad? Having an…
Breaking habits
I love having strong habits. At the same time, I find myself breaking those habits all the time. I used to feel bad about it. Not anymore. When falling off the bandwagon, I usually try to “fake it until I make it”. Just going through the motions without really being present, just to keep the…
Universal Paperclips: An Educational AI Game
Recently, I got addicted to Universal Paperclips, a clicker game with unexpected philosophical implications. The user plays the role of an AI programmed to only want one thing: paperclips. It’s based on a famous thought experiment by Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrom. It begs the question: where does our technological progress and constant optimization lead? In the game…
Compound Your Relationships
I am a big believer in the concept of “compound interest”. It’s something I think a lot about, in different contexts. Maybe it’s a natural process of getting older. I increasingly like the idea of “compounding my relationships”. Instead of constantly meeting new people, focus on your existing network. Instead of making new friends, focus…
Improve Your Sleep with Noise Cancelling Headphones
I have been using my Bose QuietComfort 20 for several years. I use them on planes, on trains, in co-working spaces, and even to help me sleep. I discovered that they are actually quite comfortable to sleep with. I don’t use them often to sleep. When needed, they worked very well. Noisy neighbors, having to…
The International Flag of Planet Earth
When you view Earth from space, you can’t see any borders. Heck, you can’t even see humans! Borders and nations are just an invention, an artificial concept. They are not natural laws. I understand why we have them, but can’t we do better? Our world is becoming more global every year. The internet, global trade,…