When Dave first heard about the basilisk from a believer, he scratched his head in confusion. “I have to give all my money to help build a super AI. And if I don't, it will one day resurrect me from the dead and torture me?” It sounded too comical to believe. And if he had … Continue reading Dave’s Basilisk
Author: RP
Prosperity Comes From Eliminating Jobs, Not Saving Them
Virtually every election season, we’re treated to a chorus on job creation. Who has saved more jobs. How will they protect your job. And who is going to be the grinch that takes your job away. But perhaps our focus is misguided. Perhaps we should be focused not on creating jobs, but on eliminating them. … Continue reading Prosperity Comes From Eliminating Jobs, Not Saving Them
A Democracy that Cannot be Hacked
In recent weeks, we have seen much hand wringing over the role that Social Media, Special Interests, Fake news, and Foreign Governments have played, in determining the outcomes of our political processes. To be sure, there is great merit in all of these accusations. Lobbyists should not be able to veto bills that serve the … Continue reading A Democracy that Cannot be Hacked
Correlation between Stock-Market-Returns, GDP Growth and PE Ratios
In an earlier article, we discussed the primary factors that drive long-term stock market returns. Namely: Earnings yieldReal GDP growthInflation We also discussed ignoring fluctuations in the PE Ratio, because: PE ratios tend to be cyclic, and do not increase or decrease in perpetuity Over the long term, fluctuations in the PE ratio will cancel … Continue reading Correlation between Stock-Market-Returns, GDP Growth and PE Ratios
What drives Stock Market Returns?
“The stock market is nothing more than a ponzi scheme”“It’s all just fake money”“Stocks prices are completely arbitrary. It can rise or crash any day” Chances are, you’ve heard some variation of the above, many times in your life. It’s hardly surprising - stocks play a crucial role in our economy and personal savings. And … Continue reading What drives Stock Market Returns?
Solving the Raven-Paradox and Improving the Way we do Science
One of the most interesting paradoxes studied by Philosophers, is also one that challenges our entire approach to science and knowledge gathering. Despite its monumental importance, there currently exist no satisfying resolution to this paradox. Which is unfortunate, because by studying this paradox, and learning how to resolve it, we all stand to benefit immensely, … Continue reading Solving the Raven-Paradox and Improving the Way we do Science
Philosophical Proof for the Human Soul
As a lifelong agnostic, I never thought that I would find myself arguing for the existence of “souls”, much less claiming that I’ve found proof through Philosophical reasoning. And yet, as I consider the alternative, I find myself unable to accept any other conclusion. If we were to assume that human consciousness arises purely out … Continue reading Philosophical Proof for the Human Soul
The Real Truth about NYC’s Elite High Schools
A couple days ago, the NYTimes published an op-ed proclaiming “The Truth about NYC’s Elite High Schools”. The truth, according to them, is the following: NYC’s elite high schools are a bastion of bias and discrimination. In order to remedy this, they need to abandon their current test-based entrance system, in favor of one that more … Continue reading The Real Truth about NYC’s Elite High Schools
Forget Basic Income – we need Guaranteed Employment
I’ve long been a champion of Basic Income. As we head towards an uncertain future where automation and offshoring becomes the norm, we need more safeguards to protect the most vulnerable members in our society. Instead of paternalistic welfare programs, full of bureaucracy and central planning, the idea of putting money directly in the pockets … Continue reading Forget Basic Income – we need Guaranteed Employment
Too Big To Fail: A Call for States’ Rights
In the wake of the 2008 crisis came the realization that our financial system is teetering on the brink, at the mercy of banks that are too big to fail. A lesson that’s hardly surprising to Software engineers who have known for decades that "God Objects", entities that are far too widely encompassing, produce intractable … Continue reading Too Big To Fail: A Call for States’ Rights
