Load Bearing Beliefs

“People try to do all sorts of clever and difficult things to improve life instead of doing the simplest, easiest thing—refusing to participate in activities that make life bad.”

Six fundamental beliefs that bias our view of the world:

1. My experience is a reasonable reference.

2. I make correct assessments of the world.

3. I am good.

4. My group is a reasonable reference.

5. My group is good.

6. People's attributes (not context) shape outcomes.

mvp = minimal surface area of things, done exceptionally well—not many things done partway.

The way to end up with a good plan is not to start with a good plan, it's to start with some plan, and then slam that plan against reality until reality hands you a better plan.

"A dumb thing about our minds is that we never look to reference points that make us feel good. We always look to reference points that make us feel crappy."

When I see people described as progressive but they spend more energy hating the rich (e.g. landlords) versus helping people (e.g. pushing for more market rate housing), I’m reminded that people love being cruel while protected by the cloak of righteousness.