High agency can be a confusing idea to understand because it’s not just one idea. It’s a combination of three distinct skills rarely found together:

1. Clear thinking


2. Bias to action


3. Disagreeability

In 1961, Claude Shannon and Ed Thorp decided hacking roulette didn’t defy the laws of physics — therefore it was a solvable problem.

To hack roulette, they built the first-ever wearable computer. The device transmitted information about roulette wheels via a cigarette packet-sized box that they placed in their shoe. Shannon and Thorp would use a toe... See more

‍ Thought experiment: If the reward for solving the problem was a trillion dollars, and the consequence for not solving the problem was the death penalty -- would you find a way to solve the problem?

If stuck between two potential options, ask: What is the best story?

"Life is a form of self storytelling. We're continually retelling ourselves our life story, but very few people think of themselves as authors of their story, not mere subjects. People with extraordinary high-agency realize this early in life and start maximizing the interestingne... See more

"When you're told that something is impossible, is that the end of the conversation, or does that start a second dialogue in your mind? How to get around whoever it is that's just told you that you can't do something" - Eric Weinstein on high agency.

When Nadal warmed up, it was sheer aggression. He sprinted up and down like a man possessed with his shirt dripping in sweat.

When Djokovic warmed up, it was pure emotionless calibration. He was measured and scientific with every shot.

When Federer warmed up, you could hear him giggling before he arrived. He was doing trick shots, caressing the ball ... See more

Normal is forgotten. Only weird survives.

‍ Rumination Trap Escape Route: How can I take action on this now?

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Rumination can be reframed as a smoke alarm for action. If you catch yourself ruminating, reply with How can I take action on this?

In a similar story, legendary musicians Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan were sitting in a cafe in Paris:

Bob Dylan asks Cohen: "How long did it take you to write Hallelujah?”

“A couple of years” - Cohen replied.

It was a lie — it took him 7 years but he wanted to play it down

Cohen then asked Bob Dylan: “How long did it take you to write Just Like a Woman... See more