September 2021 Roundup: What I am Reading, Watching and Listening To
What I Am Reading
The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't
"I’ve learned more about how to think and reason well from Julia Galef than from almost anyone."—Dylan Matthews, senior correspondent at Vox
Keep Your Identity Small
“Most people reading this will already be fairly tolerant. But there is a step beyond thinking of yourself as x but tolerating y: not even to consider yourself an x. The more labels you have for yourself, the dumber they make you.”
“Everything is changing faster and faster. Everything keeps getting crazier. It’s impossible to predict specifically what’s going to happen.”
What I am Watching:
Electronic PIlls That Can Transform How We Treat Disease
“Could a small jolt of electricity to your gut help treat chronic diseases? Medical hacker and TED Fellow Khalil Ramadi is developing a new, noninvasive therapy that could treat diseases like diabetes, obesity, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's with an electronic pill. More targeted than a traditional pill and less invasive than surgery, these micro-devices contain electronics that deliver "bionudges" -- bursts of electrical or chemical stimuli -- to the gut, potentially helping control appetite, aid digestion, regulate hormones -- and even stimulate happiness in the brain.”
The Get Down
“In 1977 New York City, the talented and soulful youth of the South Bronx chase dreams and breakneck beats to transform music history.”
What I am Listening To:
The Formula
“Now, based on years of academic research, The Formula finally unveils the groundbreaking discoveries of their pioneering study, not only highlighting the scientific and mathematic principles that underpin success, but also revolutionizing our understanding of:
Why performance is necessary but not adequate Why "Experts" are often wrong How to assemble a creative team primed for success How to most effectively engage our networks.”
“This bold book covers the entire sweep of human history, from the Stone Age to the Internet, from the stagnation of the Ming empire to the invention of the steam engine, from the population explosion to the likely consequences of climate change. It ends with a confident assertion that thanks to the ceaseless capacity of the human race for innovative change, and despite inevitable disasters along the way, the 21st century will see both human prosperity and natural biodiversity enhanced. Acute, refreshing, and revelatory, The Rational Optimist will change your way of thinking about the world for the better.”
Am I A Good Parent?
“What are the three things that Positive Psychology and the Science of Happiness can teach us about becoming better parents?”