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…
Category: Happiness
Read Books Twice
I love reading books. However, if I go too fast and read through too many books, I have trouble remembering what I learned. Also, I want to avoid chasing the “number of books” I have read. It doesn’t mean anything. That’s why I really liked the idea by Rolf Dobelli of reading each book a…
“Margin of Safety” as a Principle of Life
In my last post I talked about the key principles of value investing. The one principle I keep using almost daily is the “Margin of Safety” principle. It’s such a powerful concept that I try to apply it almost everywhere in my life, especially to time management. When I have an appointment, I give myself…
Practical Wisdom for Relationships: Read to Each Other
A friend recently brought up this topic: He is regularly reading to his partner in the evening, and they are both enjoying it very much. I told him that my partner and I have discovered the same thing. Pick something that interests you both. It’s wonderful quality time. You are near each other. You learn…
My Notes from TEDxBasel 2019
I enjoyed the recent TEDxBasel 2019. Here are my notes: Choose your prioritiesMake health and happiness your main priority. Who would enjoy success or wealth without being healthy or happy? Tips from a Michelin-starred chefUse a cooking apron. It will transform your mindset and you’ll feel like a chef. Try cooking with tea. Use lots…
Why I created a Facebook page
Inspired by Rolf Dobelli’s book, I stopped using Facebook six months ago. Mainly because I was addicted, and also because the constant social comparisons and the instant gratification treadmill became toxic for me. (I’m still using Messenger/WhatsApp for one-one-one contact.) The downside of leaving Facebook was that I lost a distribution channel for my content,…
15 Years of (Failed) Side Projects
When writing about the hyper-niche strategy, I thought back to all my own side projects. In this post, I offer a brief post-mortem for each one, so you can learn from my mistakes and don’t repeat them. (There were even more projects, but these were the main ones.) Webmaster forum (2003-2015)While this started as a…
Will I Buy the New Apple AirPods?
Will I buy the new AirPods? The short answer is: No. Should you buy the new AirPods? The short answer is: Yes. (If you don’t own any yet.) I bought my AirPods exactly two years ago. To be honest, I was reluctant to buy them. I have been pretty happy with my regular headphones, and…
Audio Is Titanically Important
I am a huge believer in audio. These days, more than ever. I started listening to audiobooks 11 years ago, inspired by a friend (thank you, Rouven!). I had a portable MP3 player. First, I had to buy or lend a CD, then convert the CD into MP3, and then load them onto the device….
Be a Useful Member of Society
Every morning, I answer the question “What is important to me?” One of the answers is “Be useful”. Benjamin Franklin has been teaching it 300 years ago. Charlie Munger is teaching it today. The idea is simple: Be a useful member of society. Remember Charlie Munger’s Three Basic Rules: Don’t sell things you wouldn’t buy…