There is a particular kind of moral comfort in working on what you are bad at. It feels responsible. It feels mature. Your parents probably told you to do it. Your teachers almost certainly did. The entire self improvement industry has built a cathedral on the foundation of this single idea: find your weaknesses, then […]
Why You Should Stop Trying to Improve Your Weaknesses Read More »
You work hard. You show up on time, hit your targets, maybe even skip lunch. And yet, when you ask for a raise, something strange happens. Your boss looks at you with genuine sympathy, sighs deeply, and explains that the budget just is not there. You walk away frustrated, convinced it is personal. But what
You would think the most attractive, successful, and interesting people would have the easiest time finding a partner. They have the most to offer. They should be snapped up immediately, like beachfront property or concert tickets for a band that is about to break up. But look around. Some of the most impressive people you
The Ricardian Dating Market: Why the “Best” People Stay Single Read More »
You have probably been told, at some point in your life, that you should be well rounded. Read widely. Learn to code and to cook. Pick up a language. Play an instrument. Get comfortable with public speaking. Maybe even start a podcast. The advice sounds reasonable. It even sounds noble. After all, Leonardo da Vinci
Stop Being “Good” at Everything: The Economic Cost of the Renaissance Man Read More »
Let us begin with a thought experiment. Imagine two countries. One is blessed with fertile soil, deep harbors, vast forests, and mineral deposits that glitter under every hillside. The other has rocks. Just rocks and some stubborn grass and a population with strong opinions about cheese. Common sense says the first country dominates trade. It
Why a Country With No Resources Can Still Win at Trade Read More »
In 1821, David Ricardo did something unusual for an economist who had spent his career defending machinery. He changed his mind. In the third edition of his Principles of Political Economy and Taxation, he added a new chapter titled “On Machinery,” in which he admitted that the introduction of machines could, in fact, hurt workers.
Why ChatGPT Is the New “Steam Engine” of the Intellectual Class Read More »
In 1600, merchants convinced Queen Elizabeth I to grant them a monopoly on trade with the East Indies. The pitch: we’ll bring back exotic goods, expand English influence, and share profits with the Crown. In 2015, technologists convinced Silicon Valley that AI should be developed as a nonprofit for humanity’s benefit. The pitch: we’ll build
Why OpenAI is the New East India Company (A David Ricardo Reading) Read More »