The Great Mental Models Volume 2: Physics, Chemistry and Biology

Part of what allowed him to move fast while on this campaign was “a profound study of the history and geography of Italy before he ever set foot there [and] his willingness to experiment with other’s ideas.”5 He developed expertise of the territory which gave him flexibility, and he chose his path so as to maintain as constant a velocity as possibl

Creating lasting change is harder than creating change. Don’t underestimate the activation energy required to not only break apart existing bonds, but to create new, strong ones. Some reactions are not quick, and all take some degree of effort. Trying to accurately estimate the activation energy required means you’re less likely to quit too early.

There are three main types of physical levers: Force/Fulcrum/Weight, such as using a crowbar to open a door. Fulcrum/Weight/Force, such as a wheelbarrow. Fulcrum/Force/Weight, like a baseball bat.

Moving fast toward his objectives actually obviated potential obstacles, because the Austrians didn’t have time to put any up.

It’s important to understand that it is the environment that makes the organism. When we look at the behavior of others, it’s easy to imagine we would never do the same if we find them abhorrent. For instance, a corrupt politician stealing aid money or a neighbor turning on a neighbor during a genocide. But it’s possible that if we were in the same

Getting to the top There is a contract implied in a hierarchy. The dominant member of a group has certain responsibilities to execute in relation to the other members. Specifically “a) direction each day for food, b) protection each day from predators and other dangers, and c) the maintenance of order every day by orienting members to their places

The key point to understand about ecosystems is that they are systems. The different parts don’t exist in isolation; they interact and interconnect in myriad ways. If we intervene in them, we can’t expect the outcomes to be predictable. We need to look at them as a whole and respect that it’s sometimes better to leave them alone than to try improvi

“The great captains lowered themselves in relation to the group whenever possible in order to earn the moral authority to drive them forward in tough moments. The person at the back, feeding the ball to others, may look like a servant—but that person is actually creating dependency. The easiest way to lead, it turns out, is to serve.”

Our behavior changes based on both actual reward and punishment and our perceptions of it.

Acknowledgments