[The following is an output from GPT-4.5 when I asked it to give a 623 word blog post from a 4-minute ramble I had while walking]

Every person experiences moments when they feel or act differently depending on the situation, environment, or people around them. These changes in personality are natural responses to our surroundings. Imagine being excited around close friends, shy around strangers, confident when discussing your favorite subject, or nervous speaking in front of a large group. Such variations are common, as different situations bring out different aspects of our personalities. Yet, what makes us unique is how we combine these varying behaviors into a single, cohesive self.

Consider how you might behave differently depending on circumstances. Relaxing on the beach during vacation, you might feel carefree and playful. However, standing before a large audience to speak could evoke anxiety or excitement. Weather and environment also play roles—rainy days might make you quiet and reflective, while sunny days might make you feel lively and sociable. Despite these shifts, you still recognize yourself as the same person experiencing these different scenarios.

Our relationships significantly impact our personalities as well. Different people naturally influence us in various ways. For instance, certain friends might excite you, making you feel outgoing and energetic. Others might calm you down, making you thoughtful and relaxed. Conversely, some individuals might frustrate or agitate you, causing reactions you find difficult to control. Each relationship brings out specific sides of your personality.

These daily shifts in personality are normal and usually seamless. However, what happens when someone struggles to integrate these diverse traits into one coherent identity? Typically, we remain aware of our changing behaviors and know that we’re still the same person underneath. We can reflect and understand why we react differently in various situations. But occasionally, this integration becomes challenging.

Imagine being unable to reconcile these different behaviors and feelings. You might feel disconnected, as if each response belongs to a separate part of yourself. This can happen under extreme stress or trauma. During such times, our minds might struggle to unify our reactions into a cohesive sense of self. The coherence we usually maintain can break down, causing us to feel fragmented and confused about who we are.

This difficulty highlights how important self-awareness is in managing our various responses and behaviors. Understanding that our reactions are context-dependent helps us form a complete picture of ourselves. For instance, acknowledging that you feel shy around strangers but outgoing with friends helps you navigate social interactions better. Recognizing these patterns allows us to integrate our behaviors effectively.

Ultimately, we all contain a multitude of personalities influenced by different settings and relationships. The challenge is ensuring these personalities remain connected and unified. Imagine if every version of yourself—happy, anxious, confident, shy—worked independently without connection. Life would become confusing and overwhelming.

The key to a healthy self-identity is bringing together these diverse personality traits into one coherent self. When we do this successfully, we feel balanced and grounded. We can comfortably adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining a consistent understanding of who we are.

Everyday examples of this integration are easy to spot. A student might feel nervous about giving a class presentation yet remain confident when playing sports. They recognize these contrasting feelings as parts of a single identity. Another example is someone who is outgoing with friends yet reserved with family members. They understand these differences as normal adaptations rather than separate identities.

Ultimately, personality is flexible and complex, shaped by countless factors including environment, relationships, and situations. Successfully integrating these variations into one self-aware identity allows us to function effectively and remain emotionally stable. Recognizing and accepting these natural shifts in our behaviors is crucial in understanding ourselves and maintaining a cohesive, healthy identity.

For the 6th time in the past 11 years (previously 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, and 2014), above is the NFL Draft Visit list from Walter Football organized by team and position. 

The numbers shaded in blue are conditionally formatted to show what position the team is concentrating on compared to other positions for that team, those shaded in red are formatted to show what position each team is focusing on compared to other teams in the NFL.

This year I kept the same draft visit points system as last year:

• Visits worth 1 point = visits where the teams were already there and just talked to a player = Senior Bowl visit, NFL Combine visit, virtual visit
• Visits worth 2 points = visits where the team sought out the player, but in a group setting = Pro Day visit, Local visits (players that grew up or went to college in the area)
• Visits worth 3 points = individual visits where the player was brought in or worked out, often the most important = Private visits (teams have 30 of these to use), Workout visits

What's shown in the picture is the proportion of each NFL team's draft visit "resources" (or total points) were used for each position.

Link: Spreadsheet with data

[The following is an output from GPT-4.5 when asked to give a 600 word blog post from a 2 minute ramble I had while making my lunch for the day]

Have you ever noticed how placing something important where you'll easily see it can make it more likely you'll actually do it? Imagine putting your gym shoes next to your bed if you want to start running each morning. Or leaving a bill right next to your keys so you don’t forget to pay it. This simple action—placing reminders or tasks in convenient locations—is a lot like how potential energy works in physics.

Potential energy is energy that's stored up, waiting to be released. Think of a ball at the top of a hill. While it sits there, the ball has stored-up energy simply because of its position. As soon as it starts rolling downhill, that potential energy transforms into kinetic energy, or energy in motion. The higher or more convenient the starting point, the more energy it has when it moves.

In our daily lives, tasks and reminders work in a similar way. When we place important reminders or objects in convenient spots, we essentially boost their "potential energy." For example, imagine you have to return a library book. If you leave it by your front door, you'll likely remember to grab it on your way out. Here, placing the book by the door increases its "potential energy." When you pick it up and actually return it, that stored-up energy becomes action—much like potential energy becoming kinetic.

On the other hand, if you leave the same library book buried beneath a pile of papers in your office, its potential energy is low. It's harder to remember, and less convenient, so you're less likely to act on it. As a result, its "kinetic energy"—your likelihood of actually returning it—is much lower.

Digital reminders work the same way. If you need to pay a bill or call a friend, you might set a reminder on your phone for a specific time when you know you'll be free. This reminder waiting quietly in your phone is storing up "potential energy." When the reminder pops up at the right moment, it easily converts to action, becoming your personal kinetic energy as you take care of the task.

Another good example is meal prepping. Let's say you want to eat healthier during the week. By preparing meals ahead of time and storing them in clear containers at eye level in your fridge, you boost the potential energy of healthy eating. You're far more likely to grab those nutritious meals instead of less healthy, less convenient options. The stored energy (the prepared meal waiting to be eaten) is easily turned into action (eating healthy).

The concept applies to nearly everything we do. Want to remember to read before bed? Leave a book on your pillow. Need to remember to take medication? Put the pills next to your toothbrush. Each of these small actions increases the potential energy of the task by making it conveniently visible and accessible.

This analogy helps us understand that convenience itself acts as a form of potential energy. The more convenient and visible you make important tasks, the higher their stored "potential energy," and the more likely you'll be to actually do them. By thoughtfully arranging our spaces and reminders, we can effortlessly transform potential energy (reminders or tasks waiting quietly) into kinetic energy (actions taken).

So next time you have something important to do, think of it like placing a ball at the top of a hill. Choose a convenient, visible spot, and watch how easily potential energy becomes positive action.

[The following is an output from GPT-4.5 when asked to give a 500-word-exact satirical wedding announcement of Joe and Karen Schmo in the style of The Onion]

ANYTOWN, USA—In a ceremony described by witnesses as "painfully Pinterest-inspired," local couple Joe and Karen Schmo officially joined their lives (and Instagram accounts) in holy matrimony Saturday at the First Church of Trendy Nondenominationals.

Joe, best known around town as "the guy who always talks about crypto without fully understanding it," exchanged vows with Karen, self-proclaimed social media influencer whose latest passion project involves selling candles allegedly infused with "essential happiness."

The bride arrived precisely one hour late, having reportedly needed extra time to perfect a TikTok documenting her "authentic" wedding day emotions. Guests applauded politely, aware they were being filmed for Karen's forthcoming YouTube channel "Mindful Marriage With Karen," a series experts predict will last at least three episodes.

During their handwritten vows, Karen promised to "always remind Joe about mindfulness during NFL Sundays," while Joe vowed to "like and subscribe to her heart, forever." The minister, himself a former corporate leadership guru turned spiritual advisor, solemnly pronounced them husband and wife, and reminded attendees to "manifest success and abundance" by purchasing his latest self-help e-book available at the chapel gift shop.

At the rustic-chic reception held at the "Ironically Old-Fashioned Barn Event Center," guests dined on avocado-toast hors d'oeuvres and gluten-free kale-based desserts, cautiously navigating conversations to avoid triggering heated debates on either politics or veganism.

The Schmos entertained their 150 carefully selected acquaintances by performing a choreographed first dance to a dubstep remix of "Sweet Caroline," which was met with lukewarm enthusiasm but heavy smartphone documentation. Later, Karen was spotted loudly whispering "content is queen" to Joe, prompting him to initiate a staged, candid toast featuring a lengthy anecdote about "following your dreams" and several references to Elon Musk.

"It's exactly the wedding I've always imagined since Pinterest launched," Karen tearfully declared, tagging seven lifestyle brands in her Instagram post. Meanwhile, Joe expressed excitement about starting their married life with matching "Always Hustlin'" coffee mugs purchased from Etsy.

Guests departed with "wellness swag bags," including activated charcoal toothpicks, manifestation journals printed with Karen’s favorite misattributed quotes, and mini bottles of kombucha labeled "Joe & Karen’s Brew-tiful Love."

The couple plans a honeymoon retreat to an exclusive "digital detox" eco-resort, which notably features robust Wi-Fi coverage to ensure guests can adequately post about unplugging from technology.

As of press time, the Schmos had already publicly vowed to renew their vows annually, or whenever engagement rates begin declining, whichever occurs first.

[The following is an output from o1 after a 2 minute ramble was turned into a 600 word blog post and then cut in half in length and made twice as clear]

Many people think “not doing something” and “saying no to something” are the same. But in reality, avoiding a negative situation is often much easier than refusing it once you are already there.

Take junk food as an example: if you simply never buy it, you don’t have to fight the urge to eat it. But if it’s in your kitchen, you rely on willpower to say no. Over time, stress or social pressure can wear down even the strongest will.

This idea also applies to social situations. If you know a gathering will tempt you to do something unhealthy, it’s often wiser to skip it. That way, you avoid peer pressure. When you are already present, it becomes harder to refuse because of friends, habits, or the desire to fit in.

By shaping your environment, you protect yourself from constant temptation. Arrange your space, schedule, and social circle so that negative choices rarely appear. It’s not about being perfect. Sometimes, you will still face hard choices. But if they happen less often, you have more energy left for the positive parts of your life.

We should also accept that nobody can say no to everything all the time. Creating a life where you do not have to say “no” constantly will lower your stress. You can focus on better habits, meaningful goals, and quality time with people you love.

In short, avoiding bad situations is easier than fighting them off every day. When you can, plan ahead and steer clear of negative influences before they begin. This small shift can free up your willpower and leave you feeling calmer and more in control.

[The following was my first attempt at using o1 and voice instead of my usual voice to Google doc to GPT-4. Asked it to write a 600 word blog post on a minute ramble]

Seeing Through Many Lenses: Understanding Our Multiple Realities

We often talk about “reality” as if it’s a single, solid thing. But the truth is, each of us experiences many different realities inside our own head. Think about it: there’s the visual reality of what our eyes perceive, the smelling reality of scents drifting past our nose, the tactile reality when we touch something, the reality of physical movement as we feel ourselves shift and navigate the world—the list goes on. Our minds combine all these sensory snapshots and create what we commonly call “the real world.” But is it? In a sense, yes—it’s our world, woven together from each sense. Yet each sense can be misleading in isolation, or can be interpreted differently by different people, which complicates the notion of what’s “real.” In the end, there’s an even deeper layer to consider: the shared reality with others, the collective experience that defines much of human existence.

To understand these multiple realities, let’s start with our senses. Our visual reality might trick us with illusions, shadows, or perspective shifts—think of times you’ve misread a street sign in poor light or when something looked closer than it actually was. Our smelling reality might stir up deeply personal memories—like the scent of a specific perfume that instantly transports you back to childhood. Taste, touch, and hearing each offer their own interpretations of the world, sending signals that our brain pieces together. These signals, however, aren’t always as reliable as we assume. We hear about the wind, but maybe our ears are picking up echoes that change our perception of distance. We feel a surface and assume it’s hot or cold, but that can depend on whether our skin is already warm or cold. In other words, all these smaller realities are highly subjective.

Inside our head, we juggle these parallel experiences like different puzzle pieces. The picture we assemble each moment is, in truth, unique to us. That uniqueness can become a problem when we start to believe our personal version of reality is the only valid version. This is where conflicts often arise: two people can witness the same event and walk away with totally different accounts, each absolutely certain that theirs is the correct perspective. Yet if we step back, we see that both are simply painting their own realities, shaped by all those sensory inputs, plus their memories, biases, and emotional states. When we forget that subjective filter, we’re prone to frustration or misunderstandings—especially when we insist our picture is the real deal.

But there’s a bigger question: what’s really real? One way to define this is by looking at our shared reality, the space where multiple individuals agree on facts, observe similar outcomes, and acknowledge a common ground. For example, if ten different people stand at ten different angles around a sculpture, each might describe it differently—but if each person acknowledges they’re looking at the same sculpture, we have a shared understanding. Science, societal norms, and communal experiences all play key roles in shaping this shared layer of reality. It’s not that one person’s individual viewpoint is worthless; rather, individual viewpoints are data points that only become richer, more meaningful, and more “real” when cross-checked against others’ perspectives.

In a world where we can easily become trapped in our own heads—where social media algorithms feed us what we want to see, or where echo chambers confirm our biases—it’s more critical than ever to recognize the difference between our personal, sense-based realities and the collective, shared reality. Being mindful that our personal lens is just one of many fosters empathy and understanding. We realize we can’t automatically assume that our viewpoint is the undisputed truth. Instead, we can take a step back and say, “What’s for real for real?” If we find common ground with others, test our assumptions, and respect that multiple viewpoints can coexist, we’re far less likely to get stuck in the trap of believing our private mental landscape is the ultimate reality. By balancing our rich internal experiences with the shared tapestry of life around us, we honor both the magic of personal perception and the grounding truth of collective understanding.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4o after I gave it the transcription of a 2 minute ramble I had on my morning walk and asked it to turn it into a 1000 word blog post]

When I listen to music, I often find myself in two main modes of engagement: exploration and exploitation. Each mode brings its own kind of excitement, and both are essential to my experience as a music lover. It's fascinating how these two modes complement each other, providing a balance between the thrill of discovery and the comfort of the familiar. Music has this powerful ability to take us on new journeys, yet at the same time, remind us of memories we've stored deep in our minds.

The first mode I enter when listening to music is exploration. This phase is all about searching for something new—whether it’s a song, an artist, or even a genre I haven’t heard of yet. There’s something exhilarating about finding a new track, especially when it comes from an artist I already love or from a completely unfamiliar one. In that moment, it’s like being handed a key to a brand-new world of sound. The anticipation of what that world holds is thrilling. You never know exactly what you’re going to find, and that uncertainty adds to the excitement. It’s a feeling of venturing into the unknown, and the possibilities seem endless.

As I immerse myself in the new music, I listen with heightened attention, eager to uncover the layers and details that make the song special. It’s like opening a gift, savoring each note, each lyric, trying to understand what makes it click. Over time, the novelty may wear off after many listens, but that initial thrill of discovery is something that keeps me coming back to the exploration mode. It feels deeply connected to a human instinct—our desire to find and experience new things.

This instinct for exploration isn’t unique to music. It’s something people have always craved across cultures and throughout history. It reminds me of the explorers of the past, like Lewis and Clark, who set off from places like my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, over 200 years ago to venture into the uncharted West. There’s a certain parallel between the exploration of physical landscapes and the exploration of music. In both cases, people are driven by curiosity and the desire to experience something they’ve never encountered before. Whether we’re discovering new territories or new songs, it’s the unknown that sparks excitement and wonder.

Of course, exploration is only one half of the equation when it comes to music listening. The other mode I often find myself in is what I like to call exploitation. In this phase, I’m not searching for something new. Instead, I’m enjoying the music I already know and love. Here, the term “exploitation” doesn’t carry the negative connotations it sometimes does. In this context, it’s about taking full advantage of the songs I’ve already discovered and reaping the rewards of the joy and pleasure they bring.

During the exploitation phase, I don’t want to wade through unfamiliar or unappealing tracks in search of a hidden gem. Instead, I’m content to play my favorite songs, the ones I know will bring me happiness. These songs have become reliable sources of positive emotions. They trigger the pleasure centers in my brain, evoking feelings of comfort, nostalgia, or pure enjoyment. It’s like pulling out a box of treasures—each song is a jewel that shines in its own way, reminding me of why I fell in love with it in the first place.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about this mode of listening. It’s less about the rush of discovery and more about the reassurance of the familiar. I’m able to sit back and fully appreciate the music, knowing exactly what to expect. There’s no pressure to evaluate or decide whether I like a song. I already know I do. And that allows me to engage with the music on a deeper, more personal level.

Interestingly, exploitation isn’t always a static experience. Sometimes, it overlaps with exploration in surprising ways. For instance, while revisiting old favorites, I might stumble upon a song I used to love but had forgotten about. When that happens, it’s almost like rediscovering it all over again. Hearing an old song after a long time can instantly transport me back to the moment I first discovered it. The memories come flooding back, and with them, all the emotions tied to that time. It’s a unique experience, blending the comfort of the known with the excitement of rediscovery.

Everyone knows that feeling when an old song unexpectedly comes on, and it takes you back in time. It’s a reminder of how music is not just a soundtrack to our lives, but also a time machine that can bring us back to specific moments. This interplay between the past and the present is one of the reasons I love the exploitation mode. It allows me to revisit not just the songs, but also the experiences and emotions that accompanied them.

In many ways, the exploration and exploitation modes of music listening are two sides of the same coin. Exploration is about seeking out the new, while exploitation is about enjoying what you’ve already found. Both modes are important and offer different kinds of fulfillment. Sometimes, I’m in the mood for the thrill of discovery, ready to dive into unfamiliar sounds. Other times, I want the comfort of my favorite songs, the ones that feel like old friends. Both bring me happiness, and I can’t imagine one without the other.

Ultimately, music listening is a deeply personal experience, and the balance between exploration and exploitation is unique to each person. For me, the key is knowing when to shift between the two. There are times when I crave novelty, and there are times when I need the familiar. Both phases serve their purpose, and both are equally rewarding in their own way.

In the end, I think this duality reflects a broader truth about life. We are always balancing the desire to discover new things with the need to appreciate and enjoy what we already have. Music, with its ability to both challenge and comfort us, mirrors this balance beautifully. Whether I’m exploring new sounds or exploiting my old favorites, I’m reminded of the richness and diversity that music brings to my life. It’s a never-ending journey, and I’m grateful for both the new discoveries and the old, cherished songs that make the ride worthwhile.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4o after I gave it the transcription of a 1 minute ramble I had on my morning walk and asked it to turn it into a 300 word blog post]

On Twitter, I’ve noticed that my replies get far more likes and views than my original tweets. It feels like I’m stuck in "algorithmic purgatory," where the system pushes me to react to others instead of sharing my own ideas.

Twitter seems to value engagement over creativity. My replies always outperform my original thoughts, which makes me feel like Twitter encourages reacting rather than creating. This has led me to reply more, even though I don’t want to become just another "reply guy."

The platform keeps me hooked by making fast replies more visible. The quicker I respond, the more attention I get. But this also stops me from thinking up and sharing original ideas. Twitter should be a place for creativity, but the algorithm only seems to care if people engage with my replies, not my original content.

This system has made me more reactive. Instead of creating, I feel pushed to respond to whatever’s popular. It’s frustrating because I want to share new ideas, but replies are what get noticed.

Even though I’m aware of this, it’s hard to change. Like many, I adapt to the environment I’m in, and Twitter’s setup makes it hard not to reply constantly. I feel stuck in this loop—wanting to create but being drawn into reacting instead.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4o when I gave it the transcription of a 30 second ramble I had walking to the gym and asked it to turn it into a 500 word blog post]

Planning for the future, especially when you're trying to save money, can be challenging and often feels counterintuitive. Consider, for example, a construction project. It's well-known that projects tend to run over budget, often by about 20%. If you're trying to prepare for this possibility and want to set aside an additional 20% for any potential overages, the question becomes: how much of the total project budget should you actually plan for?

Many people might instinctively think the answer is 80%. They assume that if they save 20%, they should just subtract that amount from 100%, leaving 80%. However, this is a common mistake that stems from a misunderstanding of percentages and fractions. If you were to stop at 80%, thinking that you've saved 20%, you'd actually be setting aside 25% for overages, not 20%. This happens because 20% of 80 is one-fourth, or 25%. So, by budgeting only 80%, you end up with more money set aside than intended.

To illustrate this more clearly, think of it this way: the correct amount you should budget for is actually closer to 83.33%. If you allocate 83.33% of your budget for the project, then 20% of that 83.33% is exactly the amount you'll save for overages, aligning perfectly with your goal. It may seem strange or unintuitive, but when you work through the numbers, the logic becomes clearer. Imagine you have a total project amount of 6 units. If you save 1 unit (which is 20% of 5 units), you're left with 5 units for your project, and the 1 unit saved represents the 20% overage amount perfectly.

So, when thinking about budgeting in this way, it's easy to see why many people make mistakes. The math involves fractions that don't immediately make sense. However, once you look closely at the numbers, you begin to understand the truth. This example from construction management demonstrates a common mathematical misunderstanding, where simple calculations can lead to significant differences in planning and saving. Recognizing these small but crucial details can make all the difference when preparing for the unexpected.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4o when I gave it the transcription of a one minute ramble I had walking to the gym and asked it to turn it into a 1000 word blog post]

When we observe the universe, there’s a tendency to focus on what we know, on the predictable, on the well-trodden paths that science has meticulously mapped out for us. But often, the universe throws a curveball—a moment or a phenomenon that defies our expectations, and in those moments, we find a deeper beauty and a richer understanding. One such example is the way sunlight interacts with clouds, a phenomenon that might seem ordinary at first glance, but reveals a fascinating complexity upon closer inspection. This interaction is not just a simple matter of light traveling through space; it’s a dance of photons, bending, refracting, and creating illusions that challenge our understanding of the natural world.

Consider the way sunlight appears to curve around the edges of clouds. At first, it seems like an optical illusion—a trick of the eye. But there’s more to this phenomenon than meets the eye. When sunlight reaches the edge of a cloud, it encounters a boundary between two different mediums—air and the water droplets within the cloud. This boundary causes the light to bend, a process known as refraction. As light passes from one medium to another, its speed changes, causing the light to change direction. This bending is subtle, yet it’s enough to make the light appear as though it’s curving around the cloud.

This bending of light is governed by the principles of diffraction and refraction, where the change in the light’s speed as it moves from one medium to another causes it to deviate from its original path. The degree of bending depends on the wavelength of the light and the angle at which it strikes the boundary between the two mediums. The result is a subtle yet perceptible curving of light around the cloud, creating an ethereal halo or a bright outline that seems to defy the expectation that light should always travel in straight lines.

Yet, despite this apparent curving, if we were to zoom in on the process, we would see that the light is still traveling in straight lines. This is the paradox at the heart of this phenomenon—the light appears to curve, but it is actually following a series of straight paths, each one bending slightly as it crosses the boundary between air and cloud. It’s a reminder that what we perceive isn’t always a straightforward reflection of reality. Our minds are wired to seek patterns, to find order in chaos, and sometimes this leads us to see things that aren’t there, or to miss the subtle complexities that are.

This phenomenon is a perfect example of how the universe often defies our expectations. We’re used to thinking of light as something that moves in straight lines, something predictable and constant. But in reality, light is as dynamic and complex as the universe itself. It interacts with its surroundings in ways that can be surprising, even counterintuitive. And in those moments when our expectations are challenged, we have an opportunity to learn something new, to see the world in a different light—literally and figuratively.

The beauty of the universe lies not just in its order, but in its ability to surprise us, to show us things that we didn’t expect. It’s in those moments of surprise, when our understanding is challenged, that we grow, that we deepen our understanding of the world around us. The phenomenon of sunlight curving around clouds is just one example of this. It’s a reminder that the universe is full of wonders, many of which are hidden in plain sight, waiting for us to notice them, to question them, to explore them.

The more we explore these unexpected phenomena, the more we realize that the universe is not just a static, predictable place. It’s dynamic, full of surprises, and infinitely complex. Every time we think we have it figured out, it throws something new at us, something that challenges our understanding and forces us to think in new ways. And that’s what makes the study of the universe so fascinating. It’s not just about learning facts and figures; it’s about opening our minds to the possibilities, to the unexpected, to the things that don’t fit neatly into our preconceived notions of how the world works.

In a way, the universe is like a great puzzle, with pieces that don’t always fit together in the way we expect them to. But it’s in the process of trying to fit those pieces together, of trying to understand the unexpected, that we gain new insights, that we see the world in a new way. The bending of sunlight around clouds is just one small piece of that puzzle, but it’s a piece that can teach us a lot about the nature of light, of clouds, and of the universe itself.

So next time you see sunlight streaming through the clouds, take a moment to appreciate the complexity of what you’re seeing. It’s not just light traveling in a straight line; it’s light interacting with the world in a way that’s both simple and complex, both predictable and surprising. It’s a reminder that the universe is full of surprises, and that the most interesting things often happen when our expectations are challenged, when we see something that doesn’t quite fit with what we thought we knew.

And in those moments, when we’re faced with the unexpected, we have a choice. We can either dismiss it as an anomaly, something that doesn’t matter, or we can embrace it, explore it, and see what it can teach us. Because it’s in those moments of surprise, of unexpected beauty, that we find the true magic of the universe. It’s in those moments that we realize just how much there is left to learn, and how exciting that journey of discovery can be.

I’ve always loved reading book summaries.

Even if the summary of a book emphasized things that were different from what I thought was important when I read it, I still love seeing someone else’s perspective. 

So I’m always thankful of the virtuous people that freely share their book summaries online – and one of the best that I’ve found at it is Blas Moros, who publishes on his site blas.com. I could never read as many books as Blas has. Just as impressive, he seems to always capture the "most important" and wisdom-packed parts of a book; put succinctly - he don't miss much.

Five years ago, I had a lot of free time and wanted to learn as much as I could, so I decided to create a system that would help me digest this mountain of highlighted information. On 2/14/19:

• I went through all the books that Blas had reviewed up until that point
  

• Downloaded PDFs of each of their highlights separately

• Merged 125 PDFs together into a single, mega-highlight PDF

• It can be found here: Link

• Can be found here: Link
• It's from 5/31/19
• I’m sure there is some Blas-induced bias in the original highlights, just like I'm sure that there’s Cory-bias in my Hi^2
• The hashtags here is me trying to organize the highlights of highlights better into topics

I would normally stop there since that's more enough to organize and ultimately understand; yet in this case, I still had over 100 pages of information! So I decided to dive a little deeper:

• Made a Hi^3 version (highlights of highlights of highlights) which groups them by book then by tagged topic

• Can be found here: Link

• It's from 6/4/19 and is 81 pages long

• The tags here are more specific and tried to be more accurate within each book for each Hi^3 (but still has some errors obviously)

• Made a Hi^4 version (you get the picture) which groups the highlights by tagged topic across books

• Can be found here: Link

• It's from 6/5/19 and is 79 pages long

• The network graph at the top is what I used to decide the story, as these meta topics ended up being the “most important” (central) when graphed, as evidenced by their bubble size and text size
  

• For the graph, the nodes are topics and the connections are highlights of the same topic within the same book (Node A (highlight topic A) and Node B (highlight topic B) are connected by connection C (are in the same book C) - not a perfect reason but a way to connect topics (nodes) across books (connections)

• You can kind of see the shape of the story in the How 3 (EQ, character, and leadership) - What 2 (learning and lifehacks) - How 1 (simplicity) - Why 1 (love)

• Influenced by Simon Sinek’s “Why-How-What” framework, I made a variation that starts and ends with why – why 5, how 3, what 2, how 1, why 1

• 1, 1, 2, 3, 5... Fibonacci-hive assemble!

• Finally I made a Hi^5 version but IMO it was a step too far and I should’ve just stopped at the highlights grouped by tagged topic (the Hi^3 version)

• Not sharing it, as there was nothing really new

• It's from 12/2/20 and is 85 pages long

• Gets too lost in the thick of things

…and that's mostly where the research stopped.

In the end, I didn’t do much with all that glorious highlighted information. Yeah I revisited the Hi^4 version a couple of times and shared it with Blas (he thought it was cool), but I didn't do much else with it. I do love the network graph of the topics and have looked at it a bunch of random times – I find it beautiful.

Recently, I asked Blas if he minded if I shared the project with others, provided he is fine with it. At the very least, I feel like I learned a ton from the research project and hope others can as well.

Have fun getting lost in The Rabbit Hole.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4o after I gave it a 2 minute ramble and asked it to turn it into a 1000 word blog post]

Understanding the concept of the forgetting curve can significantly enhance our ability to combat learning loss. The forgetting curve, first introduced by Hermann Ebbinghaus, demonstrates how information is lost over time when there is no attempt to retain it. This curve typically shows a steep decline in the retention of new information immediately after it is learned, which gradually slows down over time. However, by periodically revisiting the material, the rate of forgetting decreases, making it easier to remember the information long-term.

Imagine you're trying to learn a new language. Initially, you might find it difficult to remember new words and grammar rules. According to the forgetting curve, if you do not review what you've learned, you could forget up to 70% of the material within 24 hours. However, if you review the material after a few days, and then again after a week or two, you'll notice that the information sticks better each time. With each review session, the curve shoots up, and the rate at which you forget the material decreases. After about six or seven repetitions, you will have internalized the information, making it a part of your long-term memory.

The concept of the forgetting curve is not just limited to mental learning; it can also be applied to physical skills such as playing a sport or weightlifting. Just as your brain forgets information, your muscles can lose their performance capacity if you do not engage in regular physical activity. This phenomenon can be thought of as a "physical forgetting curve." Consider the example of playing tennis. If you haven’t played for a few weeks, your muscle memory and overall performance will have declined. The more time that passes without practice, the more pronounced the decline. However, if you practice tennis regularly, your performance curve will stabilize. Just like with mental learning, the key to maintaining and improving your physical skills lies in spaced repetition and deliberate practice.

When it comes to physical activities, combating learning loss involves maintaining a regular practice schedule. Imagine you’re lifting weights. If you lift weights consistently, your muscles will adapt and grow stronger over time. However, if you take a long break, your muscles will weaken, and your performance will drop. By lifting weights regularly and progressively challenging yourself, you can prevent this decline. For example, if you usually bench press 150 pounds, taking a month off might set you back to lifting 130 pounds when you return. But by gradually increasing your weight and intensity, you can surpass your previous limits.

This concept can be extended to any physical skill. For instance, if you’re learning to play the guitar, regular practice is essential. Each practice session reinforces your muscle memory, making it easier to play complex chords and melodies. Over time, with consistent practice, you’ll find that you can play more effortlessly and with greater precision.

Deliberate practice is a method of practice that involves focused and intentional efforts to improve performance. It’s not just about putting in hours of practice; it’s about practicing with the goal of addressing weaknesses and refining skills. For example, if you’re a runner, deliberate practice might involve working on your stride, improving your breathing technique, and increasing your stamina through interval training. When applied to the forgetting curve, deliberate practice can significantly enhance both mental and physical learning. By identifying specific areas that need improvement and working on them regularly, you can ensure that your performance curve doesn’t just maintain its level but actually improves over time.

Consider the regimen of a professional athlete like Serena Williams. Her training isn’t just about playing tennis matches; it includes a mix of strength training, flexibility exercises, and strategic practice sessions focused on specific aspects of her game. This kind of deliberate practice ensures that she doesn’t just maintain her skill level but continues to improve and refine her abilities. Even during the off-season, athletes like Serena engage in training to keep their skills sharp and to prevent any decline in performance.

Though the forgetting curve applies differently to mental and physical skills, the principles of spaced repetition and deliberate practice are common to both. For mental learning, this means reviewing information at strategic intervals to reinforce memory. For physical skills, it means engaging in regular, focused practice sessions to build and maintain muscle memory. Let’s take the example of a pianist learning a new piece of music. Initially, the pianist might struggle with the notes and rhythm. However, by practicing small sections of the piece repeatedly, the pianist reinforces their muscle memory. Over time, the pianist can play the entire piece smoothly. This process mirrors the way we reinforce mental learning through repeated reviews.

Both mental and physical learning involve overcoming plateaus—periods where progress seems to stall. In mental learning, this might happen when trying to grasp a particularly difficult concept. In physical training, it might occur when your performance levels off despite regular practice. To overcome these plateaus, it’s essential to vary your practice routines. For mental learning, this might involve studying the material in different contexts or using various study techniques. For physical training, it might mean changing up your exercises or increasing the intensity of your workouts. By challenging yourself in new ways, you can push past these plateaus and continue improving.

Understanding the forgetting curve and its implications for both mental and physical learning can greatly enhance our ability to retain information and maintain physical skills. By employing strategies such as spaced repetition and deliberate practice, we can combat learning loss and ensure continuous improvement. Whether you’re learning a new language, playing a sport, or mastering a musical instrument, these principles can help you achieve your goals more effectively. In essence, both mental and physical learning involve a similar process: regular, focused practice to reinforce memory and skills. By acknowledging and addressing the forgetting curve, we can better navigate the challenges of learning and emerge stronger, both mentally and physically.

This post isn’t about why I left teaching for the 2nd time in 9 years (that will eventually require its own lengthy post) but is about how I went about looking for a job outside of education. I’ve done this about 5 times over the last 15 years and have continually gotten better at knowing what I want and how to find it. Similar to how I narrowed down what cities to live in, a central spreadsheet with links and numerical scoring helped a lot.

The spreadsheet can be seen here: SHARED - KCMO Jobs 2024

What I wanted going into the job search:

• job in KC, with less travel being better

• in office and not remote

• Architectural/Engineering/Construction (A/E/C) industries preferable

• project management

• business analyst

• data analyst

• CAD drafter (fallback)

January 2024 - not really wanting a job as spring semester just started, but beginning search

• see a list of 150 companies that have a HQ in KC, search them on Google and get the careers link for each

• combine with a list of 27 architecture companies in KC, search them on Google and get the careers link for each

• combine with a bigger list of the 175 largest employers in KC, search them on Google and get the careers link for each

• create an ALL_companies list from 186 remaining companies after duplicates have been removed

• this list was fairly exhaustive to make, so I did a couple rounds of searching a company and getting their careers page link

• to help break the monotony of going industry by industry, I created a random column and used the rand() formula to switch them all up

• create a smaller list arch_engineering from ALL_companies that has just the 57 companies in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industries

• create a spreadsheet of the 62 jobs I found even remotely interesting across those companies with their job specific websites linked

• come back to the list and give each two different scores 1-3 with 3 best for how qualified I felt I was for the job as well as how interested I was in the job, along with some brief summary notes for each

• I have a 1/23/24 look into ALL of the companies

February 2024 - still not wanting a job right away but convinced that I won’t be teaching again

• start with January’s list of jobs, create a copy for February and see which jobs from January are no longer available in February and delete them

• once or twice in the month look up any new jobs in the A/E/C list as well as select companies from the bigger ALL list (really no organized way but it wasn’t all of them)

• end up with 56 jobs in February list

• take the qualified and interested scores 1-3 and multiply them to find a quick overall score for the jobs out of 9 possible points

• sometime around here I thought to have GPT-4 help me out, so on the sheet initial_gpt_suggestions is a list of jobs after I uploaded by resume PDF and the list of jobs I was interested in and asked it to create a list of best possible jobs

• I then revised this list by giving each an interest level score 1-10 with 10 max and prompting GPT-4 to revise it based on my interest score

March 2024 - starting to get really interested in finding another job and would consider leaving before the school year was done

• I updated February’s list in March and didn’t create a separate sheet, I don’t really know why

• I have a 3/3/24 look into random companies and not just A/E/C but didn’t get through all of them

• I found the first job (and company) that I researched pretty good into and eventually applied: Orange EV

• fast growing company in KCK that gave me SolarCity vibes

• they manufacture industrial electric vehicles, specifically electric terminal trucks which are the trucks that move trailers around distribution centers

• applied for EV Process Engineer role that was sort of trying to streamline their engineering department workflows and reminded me of SolarCity process improvement

April 2024 - definitely was more serious about finding a job, applied a couple times throughout the month and debated quitting once state tests were finished at the end of the month (and leaving a month early)

• create a copy of February list and see which are no longer available and delete them

• added new jobs from the ALL list randomly, ended with 43 jobs

• added a column for scoring how good the company was 1-3 and then multiplying that score with the scores from the qualified and interested scores for a new overall job score out of 27 possible points

• applied to 6 jobs throughout the month (rough month of school for me):

• 4/10 - another job at Orange EV, this time a Business Analyst role

• 4/10 - a Building Enclosure Specialist job at BranchPattern, an engineering company

• 4/23 - a Mechanical Engineer job at ME Engineers

• 4/23 - a general interest job posting with bnim, an architecture company

• 4/23 - a Civil Engineer EIT job at Wallace Design

• 4/26 - a Project Engineer job at Centric, a construction company

• a friend in KC is a Project Manager and has always raved about his company and sent over the job as he thought I would be a good fit for the role

May 2024 - was ready to leave at any point but also was determined to finish the school year, partly because I was so close but also selfishly because of a stipend bonus

• copied April’s list and revised for jobs no longer available and any random new jobs I came across, ending up with 42 jobs

• another teacher’s spouse worked at Taliaferro & Browne as a Project Manager and I applied and had an in-person interview for a Entry-Level Engineer/Inspector position

• the teacher’s spouse PM was great to talk to and I could definitely work with him

• the company seemed nice but the office was very sleepy and empty and not somewhere I could see myself working from

• the position would have entailed the first 6 months being in the field overseeing road construction inspections, which didn’t seem too interesting

• I decided to not pursue it further

• I had an in-person with Centric for the Project Engineer position in mid May

• the company seemed more and more impressive the more I learned about it, the office was busy and seemed somewhere I could work from

• the role was more entry-level Project Manager type work, which was interesting to me and a career path that I was very interested in

• one thing about the role was it was usually Construction Management new grads so I was a little bit out of the experience range but that’s ok

• the interview went well I thought, they were very knowledgeable and nice to talk to

• I thought that I had a 50/50 shot at getting the position

• I didn’t follow up after the interview because I thought they would reach out after the interview (I was a little over-confident likely) and honestly I was a little hesitant as I thought I’d start right away, and all I was focused on was finishing the school year and enjoying summer a little bit

• I didn’t get the job, was a little surprised but a little relieved, as I’d get to enjoy summer in June

• I eventually followed up after about 3 weeks when I knew I didn’t get the job and asked for feedback from the interview after giving my impressions of how I did (good and bad)

• I applied and had a phone interview for a Project Planning Assistant role at Populous, an architecture firm that building sports stadiums around the world (my dream company when I was graduating from my Architectural Engineering undergrad 15 years ago)

• the company (and work) has always been a dream of mine

• the role looked perfect, as I’d be helping Project Managers with various project tasks and be supporting them from a business analysis angle behind the scenes

• they contacted me pretty quickly after applying and I thought I had a decent chance

• the phone interview seems to go decent, I remember being very nervous for it because I loved it so much and talking too fast as I was too excited

• one bad indicator from the phone call was its length, as it ended up only being about 15-20 minutes and I didn’t feel I communicated myself well

• I followed up a week later and they told me that I didn’t get the job

• I was more disappointed on not getting an in-person interview here than I was for not getting the Centric job

• the jobs that are highlighted in pale yellow were ones I was particularly interested in and thought I would apply to

• after those 3 job explorations in May, I decided to pause and enjoy summer in the month of June (I felt that I truly deserved it after teaching) and didn’t look at jobs from mid May to mid June

June 2024 - once I got a couple weeks of relaxation and enjoying the slow paced summer life, I started to get ready to find a job again in mid June and started looking again

• I revised May’s list and ended with 45 jobs

• I revised my qualified ranking for my favorite job posting (was up for a couple of months) and don’t really know why I never applied for it

• Garmin would be fantastic to work for but they’re very big (and I might be lost at first) and the office is pretty far away (>30 minutes)

• the role looked awesome, a Project Manager role that would work on Business Analyst type streamlining

• a friend of a friend works there and I thought about reaching out to get a referral, but never really did

• I did another round of randomization of ALL_companies and started looking at companies outside A/E/C potentially

• I applied for two jobs on 6/17/24:

• a Project Management associate role at an Advertising company, Global Prairie

• an Operations Analyst role at what I first thought was an Architecture company but is really an Industrial Design + Build company, Dimensional Innovations (DI)

And that brings me to some good news: on Monday July 22nd, I’ll be starting my new job as an Operations Analyst at DI!

After my initial application to the job:

• they contacted me the next day to schedule a phone interview two days later

• the phone interview went decent to good, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to communicate about myself effectively over the phone, similar to the Populous phone interview

• luckily this one was longer (45-50 minutes) and I felt I got more about myself across

• the talent manager explained a lot more about the job, and it sounded better and better with everything that I heard

• I’d be working directly under the Chief Operations Officer (COO)

• I’d be tasked with helping improve processes and assisting project managers, among others

• sounded like a perfect mix of Project Management + Business Analyst + Data Analyst, something that greatly interested me

• I was worried that I was too excited with how I was talking and was just hoping for an in-person interview

• they followed up the next day (Friday) and wanted to schedule an in-person interview for the following Monday, which showed that I didn’t screw up the phone interview too bad and they were interested in me as well

• the in-person interview ended up being directly with the COO and seemed to go really well, and I grew more interested in the role and working with her

• the office was great and a quick tour around it by the COO gave me more insight and respect for what they do

• I followed up with the COO 2-3 days later, saying it was great talking with her and again expressing my interest

• the talent manager emailed and said they wanted to schedule a 3rd interview the following week with some department managers

• the 3rd interview (2nd in-person) with two Directors of Project Management and Production Management seemed to go very well as well and I became 100% convinced that I wanted the job, that I think I’d do well in the job, and that I wanted to work at the company

• a week after the 3rd interview, I got a call from the talent manager and was offered the job

Final tally: 186 companies, hundreds of jobs looked at, 11 jobs applied for, 4 companies interested for initial interview, 3 in-person interviews, 1 job offer.

The role, the people, and the work that DI does all seem very exciting and I don’t think that it could have worked out any better. I’m ready for this new challenge!

Introduction

Officially, football games are won and lost by the points a team scores. Unofficially, football is a battle for distance, measured in yards from the opponent’s endzone. While a defender's primary responsibility is to prevent points, their main objective after an offensive player gets the ball is to minimize the yards gained by the ball carrier.

Before getting into the data preparation, let me introduce the main metric used to evaluate the yards given up by the tackler after initial contact: "Yards After Contact." Given that the endzones in our tracking data are positioned at the far ends of the X-values, "Yards After Contact" focuses solely on the X-direction and is calculated as the difference in the ball carrier's X-value between the "first_contact" event and the "tackle" event. A higher X-distance between these events indicates a poorer performance by the tackler, as it means they allowed more yards after initial contact before completing the tackle. This metric is added to the tracking data and labeled as "x_totaldis_fc_t" or sometimes "x_dist."

This post investigates which attack angles by a tackler (referred to as Attack Zones) lead to the fewest yards gained after the tackler has made first contact with the ball carrier. The analysis focuses specifically on solo tackles, standardizing the directions of motion for both the ball carrier and the tackler. Although this falls under the metric category, the insights gained are invaluable for coaches as well.

Data Preparation

The primary data sources for this notebook are from Big Data Bowl (BDB) and the R stats package "nflverse." The BDB data includes game, play, player, tackle, and tracking data for weeks 1-9 of the 2022 NFL season. Unique "gameId" and "playId" columns were merged into a single "game_play_Id" column, which was then matched with the corresponding “nflverse” game and play data. This integration added additional context, such as solo tackles, penalties, and expected points added, for each "game_play_Id," covering over 50,000 plays in total.

To filter the data, I isolated every "game_play_Id" that met the following criteria:

• Involved a single solo tackler
• Did not involve a penalty
• Did not involve a turnover
• Did not end out of bounds
• Was not a special teams play
• Was not a sack

This filtering process left approximately 5,450 plays within the Weeks 1-9 tracking data. I then used the BDB data to identify the unique ball carrier and tackler "nflId" for each "game_play_Id" and isolated these two "nflId"s (along with the football) in the tracking data for all solo tackles.

A big part of the data preparation involved standardizing the ball carrier’s direction of motion (and play direction) to the right and adjusting the tackler's angle of attack based on changes in the ball carrier's direction. To do this, I modified all direction angles from the given 0 degrees (increasing clockwise) to the more standard 0 degrees (increasing counterclockwise). I then rotated both the ball carrier's and tackler’s angles so that the ball carrier’s final direction was always 0 degrees to the right.

It's important to note that the angle between the ball carrier and tackler (angle of attack) remained unchanged, only their direction of motion was standardized. While this adjustment altered the position data, once I had the "Yards After Contact" X-distance for each solo tackle, I no longer needed the position data, as my focus shifted to the angle of attack. This standardization enabled a consistent comparison of each tackle's angle of attack.

Exploratory Analysis

For context, the chart below illustrates the correlations between expected points added (EPA) per play versus total yards gained per play (left) and "Yards After Contact" (right). As anticipated, both total yards gained and "Yards After Contact" show a positive correlation with a high EPA per play. This indicates that a defender should aim to limit both metrics as much as possible.

In my exploratory analysis, I first examined the time duration between the "first_contact" and "tackle" events in the tracking data. As shown in the chart below, the vast majority of solo tackles occur within 2 seconds of first contact, with 80% happening in under 1.8 seconds.

To analyze the plays and tackles themselves, I isolated the tracking data for just the ball carrier and tackler for each solo tackle. I began by creating basic animated GIFs of each play. A sample of these animations is shown below, displaying the players' movements along the field using their X and Y position data, with a black arrow indicating their orientation (the direction they were facing) and a green arrow showing their direction of movement. This visualization provided important context on the players' movements that the raw data alone couldn’t.

In-Depth Analysis

After investigating whether a player's momentum and force (calculated by multiplying their weight by their speed and acceleration, respectively) influenced the "Yards After Contact" given up on a play, I decided to focus on the player's attack angle toward the ball carrier.

Tacklers are traditionally taught to square up to the ball carrier and meet them head-on (moving in opposite directions) to drive the ball carrier backward and minimize "Yards After Contact." While this makes sense theoretically, in practice, most ball carriers have a significant momentum advantage when they meet a tackler, often driving the tackler backward from the point of first contact.

By standardizing the ball carrier’s direction of motion to 0 degrees right and rotating the tackler’s direction accordingly, I derived a single angle measurement (tackler’s angle of attack) instead of dealing with multiple directions. Due to the variety of angles, I grouped them into 12 groups of 30 degrees each, forming 12 Attack Zones.

Zone 1 ranges from 0 degrees right counterclockwise to 30 degrees, continuing in this manner until Zone 12, which covers 330 degrees to 360 degrees (0) right. This grouping allowed for a clearer understanding of which of the 12 Attack Zones were more successful in limiting the "Yards After Contact" compared to examining 360 individual degrees. Below are the descriptive statistics for the Attack Zones, along with an overall chart showing the median values and counts for each Attack Zone.

Given the directional nature of the data, I created the radar charts at the top of the post. These charts display the direction and median "Yards After Contact" values, as well as a similar radar chart illustrating the EPA/play for each Attack Zone. Lower values in both metrics are better for a defender, as they indicate giving up fewer "Yards After Contact" and expected points when attacking from a smaller angle rather than a larger one.

Results and Discussion

Contrary to conventional tackling wisdom, meeting the ball carrier head-on (Attack Zones 1 and 12) does not result in the lowest median "Yards After Contact" or lowest EPA/play. Surprisingly, these zones exhibit some of the highest values. This may be because defenders might be stationary, waiting for the ball carrier, making it easier for them to be overpowered.

Interestingly, the best Attack Zones from which a tackler should engage a ball carrier are from the side and at an angle from behind. Tackling from the side makes sense as the ball carrier may overcome a head-on momentum transfer and continue moving, whereas momentum transferred from the side is harder for them to counter. Even if a tackler has less momentum than the ball carrier, a smaller force from the side can effectively bring the ball carrier down compared to a larger force head-on.

The same principle applies to tackling from behind. The additional momentum from a different angle is more challenging for the ball carrier to overcome than a direct head-on confrontation. While it may seem counterintuitive to tackle from behind, as it might push the ball carrier forward, this forward push is often less than the "Yards After Contact" gained by meeting the ball carrier head-on with the same momentum.

For limitations about these results, it's important to note that this data only considers solo tackles that include both the "first_contact" and "tackle" events. Tackles lacking a "first_contact" event are not included in the "Yards After Contact" calculations, as the final metric cannot be determined without the initial contact point. Further research is needed to understand the distinction between these events fully.

Additionally, this analysis did not explore how Attack Zone knowledge could assist tacklers in collaborative efforts, such as helping from the side or back to complete the tackle faster. Nor did it examine "missed tackles" and which Attack Zones result in the most missed tackles. Both assisted tackles and missed tackles should be investigated further, as this notebook focuses solely on completed solo tackles that have both "first_contact" and "tackle" events.

Recently on Twitter, Anna Gat asked the question, “What was the last Big Idea?” and there were many great responses, many of which have been world-changing.

For me, two ideas immediately came to mind: "Attention Is All You Need" a paper from Google researchers in 2017 that has transformed the world of AI, and Dr. Iain McGilchrist’s Divided Brain theory, introduced in his 2009 book “The Master and His Emissary.”

A brief intro to the two ideas (errors in summarizing are mine of course):

1. Attention Is All You Need: This paper introduced a new way of understanding and generating language via the transformer. Previously, models focused on word-by-word prediction and had trouble with longer inputs and understanding the context of the text. However, the new model doesn’t work sequentially word-by-word but instead reads the entire sentence or input as a whole and then uses its understanding of the context to focus its attention on the most important parts. This not only greatly increases text comprehension and generation but also enhances speed and efficiency.

2. McGilchrist’s “Divided Brain” theory: McGilchrist wasn’t the first to introduce the concept of the two hemispheres of the brain being better at different tasks, but he popularized the theory that they focus attention in different ways. The divided brain has a left hemisphere (LH) that is more focused on details and good at tasks like language, math, and logic, processing information step-by-step. The right hemisphere (RH), however, is better at understanding the big picture, appreciating art and music, and processing information all at once.

Considering these revolutionary ideas together for the first time, I realized that they both involve the same basic function: the role of attention. With LLMs, attention means the algorithmic weights given to words or parts of words – a machine version of attention. With the divided brain, it means the more traditional human understanding of attention. This post is an attempt to connect the two (with the help of ChatGPT in italics).

The main similarity between the two is that although the ideas handle attention in different ways, they both involve it simultaneously to achieve the best results:

• For the transformer, the two types of attention involved are called self-attention and multi-head attention. Self-attention weighs the importance of different words in a sentence relative to other words and to the text as a whole. Multi-head attention is similar but has multiple variations of the self-attention weights computed in separate layers and then merged, making it better at concentrating on separate details. Self-attention runs sequentially, and multi-head attention runs in parallel, so there are multiple ways the attention is calculated, and they run simultaneously.
  

• For the Divided Brain theory, the LH focuses on the details of something, and the RH focuses on how it all fits together. The LH is analytical and logical, focused on representing things in our mind (thus making virtual representations and removing the liveliness from objects), whereas the RH is holistic and looks at the whole picture, focused on presenting something as a whole (thus invoking the liveliness of objects). Both types of attention are crucial for understanding intricacies and the whole picture, and both happen simultaneously.

• Self-attention is similar to the RH of the brain since it takes into account the context of the integrative whole, whereas multi-head attention is similar to the LH since it’s better at focusing on details and specific parts.

For the 5th time in the past 10 years (previously 2023, 2022, 2019, and 2014), above is the NFL Draft Visit list from Walter Football organized by team and position. The numbers shaded in blue are conditionally formatted to show what position the team is concentrating on compared to other positions, those shaded in red are formatted to show what position each team is focusing on compared to other teams in the NFL.

This year I kept the same draft visit points system as last year:

• Visits worth 1 point = visits where the teams were already there and just talked to a player = Senior Bowl visit, NFL Combine visit, virtual visit
• Visits worth 2 points = visits where the team sought out the player, but in a group setting = Pro Day visit, Local visits (players that grew up or went to college in the area)
• Visits worth 3 points = individual visits where the player was brought in or worked out, often the most important = Private visits (teams have 30 of these to use), Workout visits

One difference this year is instead of displaying the sum total of the amount of draft visit points per team per position, I chose to display the percentage proportion of that team's total draft visit points used (what I call NFL Draft Visit Resources). The reasoning is simple: even if not every visit is reported, what IS reported should be consistent within the team. 

For example, if a team reports their visits often, it's likely that the reported visits are consistent across positions within that team, meaning we should be able to see what positions they're spending more resources on (resources in this case effectively mean time). Every team only has a certain amount of time pre-draft, and it's my theory that they allocate this time as efficiently and effectively as they believe they can. 

Please keep in mind that this list is in no way complete, as these are only the visits that teams/agents/players have reported that Walter Football thankfully organizes every year. There are likely many prospect visits that are not reported (for various team reasons) or not collected in the list. Also, some teams definitely report their visits A LOT more, there are some local newspapers/blogs that report a lot more, and there's certain players whose agents report more, etc. (For example: the data on Los Angeles Rams visits is pretty sparse, whereas the data on Pittsburgh Steelers visits is pretty robust. See the linked spreadsheet at the bottom for visit info)

Even though the data isn't 100% accurate, I believe it's still useful to look for trends on maybe what teams are concentrating on what positions. And I believe it'll be useful to similarly-minded mock draft nerds like myself. Happy mock drafting!

Link: Spreadsheet with data (keep in mind it was put together in 3 hours so only basic data verification/cleaning was done)

[The following was adapted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 2 minute ramble I had recorded while walking a couple of weeks ago and asked it to turn it into a 1000 word essay]

I've come to understand — it has taken a while — that the impact of my words matters as much as their intention.

I want to help.

I want to optimize.

I want to make things better.

Yet, the art of feedback is delicate. It's about choosing the right moment, delivering thoughts with kindness and tact. It's a skill I'm still honing, balancing honesty with sensitivity.

Despite this awareness, there's a part of me that fiercely holds onto this trait; it's a part of who I am.

It drives me to question.

It pushes me to innovate.

It motivates me to seek excellence. 

But with this drive comes a responsibility – to be mindful, to be gentle.

So, here's my heartfelt revelation:

I am learning.

I am growing.

I am striving to find that sweet spot between sharing my insights and respecting the moment.

It's a journey of self-improvement, of understanding when my voice is needed and when silence is more powerful. 

In closing, this is my ongoing quest – to be thoughtful, to be considerate, yet to stay true to my instinct. To be the voice of change, yet the listener of the moment.

And amidst this complex dance of words and silence, I embrace this flaw, for it is also my strength. I'm working on being softer, more empathetic.

But in the depths of my soul, where truth whispers, I can't deny it:

I'm sorry... but I'm right.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 5 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 3000 word essay]

In today's digital age, the allure of becoming an influencer or content creator has captivated the imaginations of many, particularly the younger generation. This aspiration is not unfounded; the internet has democratized fame, allowing anyone with a camera and an internet connection to share their life, thoughts, and entertainment with the world. Platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and social media sites have become stages for individuals to broadcast themselves, playing video games, living their daily lives, or simply hanging out with friends. The concept of being paid to simply exist, to be oneself, has become a modern-day aspiration, symbolizing the ultimate dream: earning a living with minimal effort.

The phenomenon of influencers and streamers capitalizing on their daily lives for income taps into a long-standing human desire: to achieve success and recognition with as little exertion as possible. Platforms such as Twitch.com have popularized this trend, showcasing individuals who garner attention and income by sharing aspects of their lives, from gaming sessions to mundane daily activities. This trend is underscored by the importance of authenticity, especially for Generation Z, who value genuine self-expression and relatability in the content they consume.

However, the apparent ease with which influencers and content creators seem to earn their living belies the hard work and dedication required behind the scenes. Building an audience large enough to generate significant income through streaming or posting content online is a formidable challenge. It involves not only consistent content creation but also engaging with audiences, marketing oneself, and often innovating to stand out in a crowded space. The seemingly effortless lifestyle of successful influencers is the tip of the iceberg; beneath the surface lies a vast amount of unseen effort in content planning, production, and audience engagement.

Take, for example, the world of Twitch streaming. Some of the most popular streamers may spend hours daily broadcasting their gameplay or daily activities. Yet, what viewers do not see is the extensive preparation that goes into each session: the technical setup, the content planning, the interaction with fans off-camera, and the constant need to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Similarly, the trend of documenting one's life on social media might appear to be a simple task, yet it demands a constant stream of content creation, a knack for storytelling, and the ability to connect with followers on a personal level.

The dream of being paid to "do nothing" – to simply exist and share one's existence with an audience – is a misnomer. Successful content creators and influencers are storytellers, entertainers, and entrepreneurs who work tirelessly to build their personal brand and engage with their audience. They must navigate the complexities of the digital world, from understanding the algorithms that drive visibility on various platforms to responding to the shifting tastes of their viewers.

Moreover, the aspiration to become an influencer reflects a broader cultural shift towards valuing personal branding and individuality as commodities. In the past, careers were often defined by roles within organizations or specific professions. Today, the rise of the influencer economy suggests a move towards a more individualistic career path, where personal identity and the ability to captivate an audience can be as valuable as traditional professional skills.

This shift is not without its challenges. The saturation of the market means that for every successful influencer, there are thousands struggling to gain visibility. The pressure to constantly produce content that is both authentic and engaging can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Furthermore, the reliance on platforms and algorithms for visibility introduces a level of unpredictability and instability to these career paths.

Despite these challenges, the appeal of becoming an influencer persists. It speaks to a universal desire for recognition and to make a living by sharing one's passions and life with others. However, as with any career, success in this space requires hard work, persistence, and a willingness to adapt and grow. The dream of being paid for doing nothing is, in reality, a dream of being valued for who one is and what one can share with the world – a task that is far from effortless but potentially rewarding for those willing to undertake it.

As we look to the future, it is clear that the influencer economy will continue to evolve, shaped by technological advances and changing cultural attitudes towards work and entertainment. The journey to becoming a successful influencer or content creator is complex, demanding a blend of creativity, entrepreneurship, and resilience. Those who navigate this path successfully will not only achieve personal fulfillment but also redefine the boundaries of what it means to work and succeed in the digital age.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 1000 word essay]

Prediction: The Paradox of Knowing and Not Knowing

Predicting future events is a complex and paradoxical task, reflecting the inherent uncertainties and certainties of life. This essay explores the dual nature of predictions, using the framework of the five Ws: who, what, where, when, and why.

The first type of prediction is relatively straightforward in terms of 'what' will happen and 'why'. In certain situations, the outcome and its cause are clear. For example, we know that seasons will change due to the Earth's rotation. Here, the 'what' and 'why' are predictable. However, this type of prediction struggles with specifics - 'who' it will affect, 'where', and 'when'. This uncertainty is evident in weather forecasting. We can predict a hurricane but pinpointing its exact path and timing is more challenging.

Conversely, the second type of prediction involves scenarios where 'who', 'where', and 'when' are determinable. This is often seen in human-made decisions, like a company launching a product. The company decides the 'who' (target audience), 'where' (market), and 'when' (launch date). Yet, the 'what' – the outcome of this launch, and 'why' – the reasons for its success or failure, remain unpredictable. Market responses, consumer behavior, and environmental factors introduce variables that defy precise forecasting.

Both types of predictions demonstrate the paradox of prediction: certain aspects are predictable while others are shrouded in uncertainty. In the first type, we understand the cause and effect but lack details about the specific impact. In the second type, while the decision-maker has control over certain elements, the eventual outcome remains uncertain.

Predictions, therefore, are an interplay of known and unknown factors. Understanding this paradox is crucial in fields like business, science, and policy-making, where decisions are often based on predictions of future events. The challenge lies in balancing what we know with what we cannot foresee, acknowledging the limitations of our foresight while striving for informed decision-making.

This paradoxical nature of predictions reflects a broader theme in life: the coexistence of certainty and uncertainty. Much like life itself, predictions involve navigating through knowns and unknowns, making the best possible choices with the information available, yet remaining open to the unexpected. In embracing this paradox, we find a more realistic and flexible approach to understanding and preparing for the future.

In conclusion, predictions embody a fundamental paradox of certainty and uncertainty. While certain aspects of future events can be foreseen, others remain elusive. This duality requires a balanced approach, combining informed speculation with an acceptance of the unknown. Understanding this paradox is not just a theoretical exercise but a practical necessity in a world where decisions often hinge on predictions of what lies ahead.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 3000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

Often, we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of aspiration and hesitation. It's a familiar place where our desires to embark on new ventures are frequently overshadowed by our fears – particularly, the fear of not excelling. This fear, deeply rooted in our perception of skill and accomplishment, can be a formidable barrier. It's a barrier that not only constrains our potential but also limits our understanding of what it means to truly engage in an activity.

Consider for a moment the sheer joy of a child painting. The child doesn't worry about the finesse of their brush strokes or the harmony of colors. Instead, they revel in the act of painting itself. Somewhere along our journey into adulthood, we lose this inherent ability to value the act of doing over the art of excelling. We start to equate our worth and the worth of our endeavors with our level of proficiency. 

This perception, while understandable, overlooks a fundamental truth: there is intrinsic value in the mere act of creation, independent of the skill level achieved. In every attempt, there's a lesson, an experience, a step taken forward – however small. The distinction between the ability to do something and the mastery of it is crucial. Mastery is a journey, not a destination, and every journey begins with a single, often imperfect, step.

My personal journey with writing serves as a testament to this philosophy. Writing, for me, was never about crafting perfect sentences or eloquent prose. It was, and remains, a medium to untangle thoughts, to give voice to feelings that often lay dormant, hidden beneath the hustle of daily life. Technology, particularly in recent years, has been a steadfast ally in this endeavor. Tools like voice transcriptions and AI platforms like ChatGPT have offered a new avenue for expression – one that is less hindered by the technicalities of writing and more focused on the essence of the ideas being conveyed.

These technological advancements have underscored an important lesson – the power of taking imperfect action. It's about moving from zero to one, transitioning from inaction to action. This principle, 'doing over excelling', is liberating. It shifts the focus from the end result to the process itself, encouraging a mindset where the act of trying supersedes the need for perfection.

In embracing this mindset, we open ourselves to a world of possibilities. Sharing our work, irrespective of its perceived quality, becomes a pathway to growth. Each shared piece is an invitation for feedback, for connection, for unexpected opportunities. It becomes less about how good the work is and more about the act of sharing, of being vulnerable, of being open to the journey of improvement.

Reflecting on this, it's evident that this principle extends far beyond writing or creative pursuits. It's applicable in all spheres of life – from learning a new skill to starting a new venture. The initial steps, often clumsy and uncertain, are the most crucial. They represent the courage to move beyond our comfort zones, to explore, to grow.

As we navigate through life's challenges and opportunities, it's worth remembering that our endeavors need not be perfect. They need only be sincere. The beauty lies in the attempt, in the courage to express, to create, to do – irrespective of the outcome.

In conclusion, I urge you, as I remind myself, to cherish the act of creation. Let us not be deterred by the elusive quest for perfection. Instead, let us find joy in the journey of doing, in the process of learning, and in the beauty of expressing ourselves. Our creations, no matter how imperfect, are reflections of our unique perspectives and experiences. They are valuable, not because they are flawless, but because they are real.

[The above image and following post was copied and pasted from GPT-4 from a 2 minute rambling thought transcribed through Google Docs. I generated a couple separate versions of this in a couple chats, all pretty similar, for some reason all including the specific callout of Michelle Obama's book haha]

Learning is an endless journey, an ever-evolving process that accompanies us throughout our life. It's a widespread belief that the end of formal education marks the cessation of our learning. However, this is a misconception. As we journey through different stages of life, our learning does not stop; it simply transforms, taking on new shapes and adapting to our evolving needs and environments. This lifelong journey of learning is rich, diverse, and incredibly rewarding.

In the adult world, the workplace often becomes a primary arena for learning. Here, learning is integral and continuous, but it typically revolves around job-specific skills and knowledge. Employees learn and adapt to new technologies, methodologies, and strategies to enhance their performance and remain relevant in their fields. This type of learning, whether through structured training or on-the-job experience, hones one's expertise and adaptability within their chosen profession. It reflects an explicit form of learning, where the objectives are clear and the outcomes are directly related to job performance. But there's more to adult learning than just professional development.

Outside the constraints of our professions, many adults continue to engage in learning, albeit in more subtle and varied ways. Some immerse themselves in books, exploring new worlds, ideas, and perspectives. Reading books like Michelle Obama's "Becoming" can offer enlightening insights into the experiences and growth of influential figures, expanding our understanding of leadership, resilience, and personal development. Others delve into the realms of popular culture, absorbing information about celebrity lives, the latest music trends, or analyzing TV shows and movies. Though often seen as light entertainment, this type of learning provides insights into societal trends, human behavior, and cultural dynamics.

But there's an often-neglected aspect of adult learning that holds immense value: the revisiting and re-evaluation of old, foundational ideas and knowledge. The wisdom passed down through generations, the basic concepts and principles taught in our early education, or the timeless truths that have withstood the test of time – these are invaluable sources of knowledge and insight. As adults, revisiting these ideas with the lens of our accumulated experiences and mature perspectives can be incredibly enriching and enlightening.

Consider the process of re-reading a favorite book from childhood or adolescence. Each reading, at a different stage in life, can unveil new meanings, interpretations, and relevance. This reflective process enables us to connect the simplicity of foundational knowledge with the complexity of our life experiences. It's not just about re-learning old facts; it's about deepening our understanding and finding new applications and significance in what we once thought we fully understood.

Let's take the basic concept of kindness, a virtue taught in early childhood. As adults revisiting this concept, we can appreciate its complexities and far-reaching impacts in ways we couldn't as children. We understand how acts of kindness can transform personal relationships, influence professional environments, and shape communities. Similarly, re-examining historical events, scientific principles, or literary classics from the vantage point of our adult experiences can lead to deeper insights and a more profound appreciation of their significance and impact.

In essence, lifelong learning for adults isn't confined to acquiring new information or developing new skills for professional advancement. It's about a holistic approach to knowledge – connecting new learning with past experiences, revisiting basic concepts with a mature perspective, and integrating this understanding into our daily lives. This approach to learning is both enriching and transformative, enabling us to see the world through a more informed, nuanced, and empathetic lens.

Digital technology and online resources have further expanded the horizons of lifelong learning. The vast array of online courses, educational platforms, and digital libraries puts a world of knowledge at our fingertips, allowing us to explore new subjects, update our skills, and connect with global learning communities. The ease of access to diverse forms of knowledge and learning tools makes it possible for adults to continue their educational journey in ways that were unimaginable a few decades ago.

Learning throughout life is not just about personal enrichment; it's about becoming better individuals, professionals, and members of society. It's about understanding the world in its complexity and contributing to it with greater awareness and empathy.

Image prompt: asked it to read the blog post and come up with a beautiful abstract cover image

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 2000 word blog]

The sayings "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity" and "Knowledge is Ideas times Action" are more than mere catchphrases; they offer profound insights into the intricacies of success and fortune. These two ideas might seem unrelated at first, but they converge in a way that allows us to grasp the essential elements of luck and how to achieve it.

Preparation, in the most straightforward sense, is having a set of good ideas for what might happen next. These ideas are like the blueprints for building a house. For example, when you practice evacuating a building during a fire drill, you're converting an abstract idea—safety during a fire—into an actionable plan. You're not just thinking about safety; you're embodying it through action. By doing so, you're creating valuable knowledge, aligning perfectly with the Benth model that posits knowledge springs from ideas and action together. 

The role of opportunity is similar to a keystone in an arch; it holds everything together. You can practice basketball shots until your hands are sore, but it's not until you're in an actual game—your moment of opportunity—that your preparation gets put to the test. And it's at that very moment that luck happens. Not just random luck, but a type of luck you've cultivated through preparation.

Yet, the relationship between preparation and opportunity isn't just about adding one to the other. They multiply together to create luck or success. If you're exceedingly prepared but devoid of opportunities, your readiness sits idle, like an unused tool in a toolbox. Conversely, if you're presented with a multitude of opportunities but lack the requisite preparation, those opportunities will flit by, unused and wasted. Both components—preparation and opportunity—must be robust and active for the magic called "luck" to occur.

And it is precisely this dynamic interplay that characterizes stories of "overnight successes." Those who suddenly rise to fame or fortune have usually been grinding away in obscurity for years. They are incredibly prepared due to their sustained dedication and hard work. But they also make their own opportunities rather than passively waiting for luck to strike. They actively seek out chances and capitalize on them, embodying the essence of both preparation and action. 

We cannot overlook the fact that we exist in a networked society. This social interconnectedness acts as a catalyst for creating opportunities. The more people you know, the more doors that potentially open, reinforcing the idea that luck is seldom an isolated incident but more often a communal journey influenced by our relationships and social circles.

So when people say, "That person is so lucky," it's rarely just the hand of fate. That person has likely strategized, acted, learned, and seized opportunities for a long time. They've prepared with intention, acted with purpose, and grabbed hold of opportunities with both hands. Thus, "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity" and "Knowledge is Ideas times Action" serve as invaluable life guides. They remind us that we have a role in crafting our own destiny by marrying our preparation with proactive action, to seize or even create opportunities. 

I'm beginning to do some exploratory data analysis with 2024 Big Data Bowl (BDB) data. This year's theme is tackling; creating metrics or visualizations that will help explain tackling in the NFL.

One early thought I had was if a defensive player's arm length, hand size, and bench press (bench press is an indicator of grip strength) numbers have any correlation with better tackling percentages. I haven't figured out a good way yet to measure the effectiveness of a tackler, so I just did a basic "(opportunities - missed tackles)/opportunities" percentage for a simple measure of a tackler's effectiveness.

I pulled the tackle data from the Big Data Bowl website and got combine data for the 2017-2022 NFL Drafts from Steelers Depot, one of the most comprehensive NFL Combine data sources. We're allowed to use any publicly available dataset so these (somewhat incomplete) Combine results would have to do.

I needed to do some data cleaning on the Combine data to standardize it and make things like arm length (32 3/8") plottable (32.375). Then I paired it by player name and linked it to the tackle data provided by BDB. The heatmap above was simply created by uploading a spreadsheet into GPT-4's Advanced Data Analysis tool and asking for a correlation matrix visualization. 

The quick answer to my question is below:

• No physical measurement from Combine data is highly correlated with the tackle made percentage, although arm length and vertical jump are the highest at 0.03. They're all basically 0.

_______________

Then I asked GPT-4 for the top 20 correlations and what they mean, sorted by absolute value (so highly positive or negative correlations are ranked high), the info below is copied and pasted from it. There were some interesting (and obvious) pairs that emerged:

The top 20 correlation pairs, ranked by absolute value, are as follows:

1. **10 YD and 40 YD**: Correlation of 0.92 indicates a very strong positive relationship. Faster 10-yard dash times likely mean faster 40-yard dash times.

2. **SS and 3C**: Correlation of 0.89 indicates a strong positive relationship. Better scores in the Short Shuttle likely mean better scores in the 3-Cone Drill.

3. **Weight and 40 YD**: Correlation of 0.85 suggests that as weight increases, the 40-yard dash time also likely increases.

4. **BJ and 40 YD**: Correlation of -0.82 indicates a strong negative relationship. Better Broad Jump scores likely mean faster 40-yard dash times.

5. **10 YD and BJ**: Correlation of -0.82 shows that better 10-yard dash times likely mean better Broad Jump scores.

6. **40 YD and 3C**: Correlation of 0.81 indicates a strong positive relationship. Faster 40-yard dash times likely mean better 3-Cone Drill scores.

7. **10 YD and Weight**: Correlation of 0.81 suggests that as weight increases, the 10-yard dash time also likely increases.

8. **BJ and VJ**: Correlation of 0.80 shows a strong positive relationship. Better Broad Jump scores likely mean better Vertical Jump scores.

9. **SS and 40 YD**: Correlation of 0.77 indicates a strong positive relationship. Better Short Shuttle scores likely mean faster 40-yard dash times.

10. **3C and Weight**: Correlation of 0.77 suggests that as weight increases, the 3-Cone Drill score likely increases.

11. **VJ and 10 YD**: Correlation of -0.77 indicates a strong negative relationship. Better Vertical Jump scores likely mean faster 10-yard dash times.

12. **SS and Weight**: Correlation of 0.76 suggests that as weight increases, the Short Shuttle score likely increases.

13. **10 YD and 3C**: Correlation of 0.74 shows a strong positive relationship. Faster 10-yard dash times likely mean better 3-Cone Drill scores.

14. **VJ and 40 YD**: Correlation of -0.73 indicates a strong negative relationship. Better Vertical Jump scores likely mean faster 40-yard dash times.

15. **ARM and Height**: Correlation of 0.73 shows a strong positive relationship. Taller height likely means longer arm length.

16. **225 BENCH and Weight**: Correlation of 0.71 indicates that as weight increases, the 225 Bench Press score likely increases.

17. **10 YD and SS**: Correlation of 0.70 shows a strong positive relationship. Faster 10-yard dash times likely mean better Short Shuttle scores.

18. **3C and VJ**: Correlation of -0.69 indicates a strong negative relationship. Better 3-Cone Drill scores likely mean better Vertical Jump scores.

19. **3C and BJ**: Correlation of -0.68 shows a strong negative relationship. Better 3-Cone Drill scores likely mean better Broad Jump scores.

20. **SS and BJ**: Correlation of -0.68 indicates a strong negative relationship. Better Short Shuttle scores likely mean better Broad Jump scores.

[After seeing Vitalik Buterin's reflections on his two-month retreat experiment with 200 people working on the Ethereum community, it brought to mind "missions" like Reid Hoffman mentions in his book The Alliance — lower stakes Manhattan Projects maybe — as well as how different missions are what makes the story of James Bond so interesting and evergreen.

So I asked GPT-4 to write a 4000 word blog post based on a transcription of a 4 minute ramble on my thoughts. But unlike other essays like this, I did NOT tell it to emulate any writer in particular AND I specifically told it to not have chunked paragraphs with separate ideas and titles. I like how it turned out, even if it could be improved]

In the vast landscape of pop culture, some franchises stand the test of time, capturing imaginations across generations. Take Star Wars or Star Trek; their futuristic worlds give creators the liberty to continuously reinvent scenarios because the possibilities of the future are limitless. Then, there are franchises grounded in our present-day world, like the James Bond series, which offer a different but equally compelling allure. Created by Ian Fleming and immortalized through a succession of films dating back to the '60s, James Bond has been an iconic figure played by various actors over the years. The character's durability doesn't just attest to good storytelling or cinematic prowess; it taps into something fundamental about our society and what fascinates us continually. James Bond's role as an international spy is meticulously designed for maximal intrigue—hunting down villains, navigating moral complexities, and embodying a certain aspirational charisma.

The longevity and profitability of the James Bond franchise, handled by the Broccoli family, says a lot about what keeps audiences coming back. Bond's life, on the surface, may seem like pure escapism: the exotic locations, the adventurous missions, the villains and their grandiose schemes. But at its core, James Bond is about the struggle between good and evil, an elemental concept that resonates with us because we live it every day. Most of us aim to do good, strive to maintain world order, and hope for prosperity. Bond's characterization may not include a traditional family or domestic aspirations, but it certainly highlights the quest for global stability and ethical integrity, principles that are universally appealing.

One fascinating aspect of the Bond character and his world is the notion of missions—specific, high-stakes assignments in various global locations. While this idea is familiar from military and special forces narratives, its single-agent focus in the Bond films makes it especially captivating. It propels the imagination toward an intriguing model for the future of work, a future where the concept of "missions" could be applied far beyond international espionage or military intervention. 

The film's portrayal of James Bond may, in some sense, be predictive. Think about how we could adapt this concept of missions to fit other professions. Software developers, CEOs, artists, or experts in any number of fields could take on short-term projects in various parts of the world, much like Bond. For instance, a group of professionals might embark on a three-month stint in Berlin to launch a software startup. Or a team of creatives could head to South Korea with the aim of breaking the next big K-pop act. These "missions" would not only offer the allure of exotic locales but also the challenge and excitement of short-term, high-impact work.

It's an extension of what Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, did when he convened 200 people for a two-month exploration into advancements in cryptocurrency. It also resonates with the Manhattan Project, which, although incomparably high-stakes, was essentially a mission with a specific, non-recurring objective. Unlike ongoing enterprises like NASA, these are contained endeavors with unique goals that are meant to be achieved in a finite timeframe. 

Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, hinted at this future in his book "The Alliance," discussing the emerging trend of professionals engaging in brief, impactful projects. But the James Bond model adds another layer to this: the appeal of collaboration and exotic settings. People are increasingly interested in doing meaningful work, but they also yearn for the camaraderie and adventure that comes with changing scenery and diverse teams. 

As society evolves and technology connects us in more complex ways, the realm of what's possible expands. The lines between work and adventure, between solitude and collaboration, are blurring. What was once the realm of spies and special agents might just become the future of work for many more of us. And while these missions might not involve chasing villains through glamorous international cities, they hold the promise of fulfilling, exciting work that taps into our deepest ambitions and desires.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it the transcript  of this podcast and asked it to turn it into a 3000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel https://twitter.com/kikiclavelle/status/1707314115444625494?t=Jh6QVx_eVS8xv9xaYPUq2g&s=19]

An Odyssey of Mindfulness: A Deep Dive into the Conversations of Tim Ferriss and Arthur C. Brooks

In a world where the quest for happiness often leads to transient satisfaction, the conversation between Tim Ferriss and Arthur C. Brooks presents an enticing alley of exploration. Through the twists and turns of personal anecdotes and the gentle sway of philosophical musings, their dialogue invites us on a journey towards a deeper understanding of life’s essence.

The sun had barely cast its early rays when I stumbled upon this transcript, a disussion that promised to traverse the landscapes of happiness, mindfulness, and the symbiotic connection between the corporeal and the ethereal. With a steaming cup of coffee in hand, I delved into the world where eastern philosophy meets western pragmatism.

The narrative unfolds with Arthur Brooks, a man of contemplative nature, reflecting on the realm of desires. He talks about a subtle yet profound practice—writing down one's ambitions and revisiting them, a practice aimed at taming the wild horses of desires that often gallop unbridled in the meadows of our minds. His mention of the Dalai Lama's teachings of “intention without attachment” resonates with the harmonious chords of eastern wisdom. It’s a tune that invites us to dance but not get lost in the rhythm of worldly pursuits.

As the morning sun climbed higher, casting a gentle glow on the room, the discussion transitioned to the serene teachings of Thích Nhất Hạnh. Brooks recounts how this venerable monk’s insights on mindfulness and detachment paved the way for a deeper understanding of his own Catholic practices. The narrative takes a tranquil trail into the woods of contemplation, where the leaves of mindfulness rustle with the breeze of prayer, offering a peaceful sanctuary from the chaos of the mundane.

The journey doesn’t just hover in the ethereal; it gracefully descends into the corporeal realm where the conversation steers towards physical fitness. Arthur shares his foray into occlusion training, a testament to the age-old adage - a healthy body harbors a healthy mind. The narrative flexes its muscles, showcasing the symbiotic relationship between physical vigor and mental tranquility.

With a subtle shift, the dialogue ventures into the intimate alleys of interpersonal relationships. The imagery of couples praying together, sharing a moment of divine communion amidst the earthly journey, paints a picture of profound intimacy.

As the day unfolded, the shadows growing longer with the setting sun, the narrative of Ferriss and Brooks left a lingering essence of introspection. The meld of personal experiences with age-old wisdom offered a compass to navigate the labyrinth of life, towards a center of serene understanding.

The voyage through this transcript wasn’t just a passive sail across words, but an active engagement with ideas that beckon a deeper delve into the essence of existence. It was a day spent in the company of sagacious minds, a day that promised the dawn of contemplative explorations.

As I closed the tab, the room seemed to resonate with the echoes of the profound dialogue, a symphony that promised to play in the corners of the mind, long after.

Image prompt: the engine and the road, killer slasher childrens book, Pastel Art, Signage, 2D, Pentagon

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 3000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

The Engine and The Road: Rethinking Sustainability

Imagine yourself as a meticulously designed engine built for the long haul. The purpose of this engine? To move. To generate momentum. To carry yourself and others forward, through your career, your passion, or your day-to-day life. But now think: What happens when you floor this engine without any breaks? The answer may sound simple—burnout. But let's dissect this further, especially when some believe that an engine's worth is in how hard it can be pushed.

The Multiple Facets of Sustainability

Sustainability has become a catchphrase. From eco-friendly products to stable economies, it seems everyone is searching for the sustainable option. Yet, when it comes to personal sustainability, the narrative often takes a back seat. What do I mean by personal sustainability? It's your ability to perform your job or pursue your passion in a manner that doesn't deplete you to the point of quitting or, worse, losing your sense of self.

The Startup Conundrum: Scale vs. Effort

In the startup ecosystem, there's a fascinating paradox. Early on, you're told to "Do things that don't scale," to go that extra mile for every client. While this approach is good to get you off the ground, it doesn't serve you well when you're trying to reach cruising altitude. You need to shift gears. You can't keep running an entire company like you did when you were a team of five.

Now, let's address the elephant in the room. Some people would argue that to succeed, you have to constantly operate at full throttle. After all, didn't all those overnight successes we hear about work 100-hour weeks? The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. While it's true that effort is a significant contributor to success, continual 100-hour weeks present a skewed form of sustainability that may not work for everyone.

The Teacher's Tale: An Unsustainability Story

Let's take a deep dive into the world of teaching—a profession that's often cited as a 'labor of love.' Teachers indeed carry an enormous load. It's not just about imparting knowledge but also grading, mentoring, and sometimes, playing the role of a parent, counselor, and friend.

Now, there's a view that if you truly love what you're doing, you'd put in all the hours needed to be excellent at it. Quitting or even taking a break would be tantamount to betrayal or failure. But here's the thing: even passion needs to be sustainable. Teachers are humans, not inexhaustible resources. And if you push human resources to their limits, there are costs—drop in quality, health issues, or even leaving the profession altogether.

The Art of Saying No

In a world that's obsessed with the hustle, saying "no" is almost sacrilegious. But here's another perspective. Saying "no" to tasks that you can't do well or can't manage isn't a sign of laziness; it's a sign of specialization. Every "yes" you give has a hidden cost, often paid for by robbing time and energy from other tasks you should be focusing on.

The Equation of Sustainability: A Revisit

In the original post, the equation for sustainability was simple: keep your energy input greater than or equal to your energy output. But for those who believe in "put your head down and shut up and work," this equation looks incomplete. For them, running on a deficit is not necessarily a bad thing; it's an investment in future success.

This argument holds some weight. Yes, investments often require you to put in more than you get out. But every good investor also knows that diversified portfolios are less risky. In the context of personal sustainability, diversifying could mean learning to balance different aspects of your life—work, family, health, and personal growth. An all-in investment in just one of these aspects could be the equivalent of putting all your eggs in one basket.

Adaptive Strategies for Sustainable Living

Adaptation is key. What works today might not work tomorrow. Similarly, the level of energy you can output today might not be the same a year from now. This holds true even if you are of the mindset that hard work trumps all. Circumstances change, both externally and internally. Adapting to these changes doesn't mean you're giving up; it means you're smart enough to modify your strategy for long-term success.

The Ripple Effect

Finally, let's acknowledge the widespread implications of personal sustainability. When a teacher burns out, it's not just a personal loss; it's a societal loss. Similarly, when a startup founder faces burnout, the repercussions aren't limited to them; it affects the employees, investors, and even the industry to some extent.

Concluding Thoughts

Personal sustainability is not about avoiding work; it's about intelligently managing your energy so that you can work better, for longer. It's not an excuse to slack off but a strategy to enable growth—both personal and for those who depend on you. So the next time you're asked to go the extra mile, think carefully. Assess the cost and decide whether it's a sprint you can afford, keeping in mind that life is not a sprint; it's a marathon.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 2000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

What Doesn't Kill You: The Power of Choice and Perspective

We've all heard the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." But have you ever stopped to consider what that actually means? And how you have the power to decide whether this phrase applies to your life or not?

The Fork in the Road

Picture life as a road. Things happen. A tire goes flat. The engine stalls. You even crash. The reality is, you can look at that stalled car in two ways. One, it's an obstacle that defines you, cripples you. Or two, it's a challenge, a chance to show your grit and your skill. The choice is yours.

Resilience: Your Built-in Muscle

Think of resilience like a muscle. It's there, part of you, waiting to be used. When life punches you down, your resilience can be the thing that pushes you back up. But it doesn't grow unless you use it. The more you let challenges build you up, the stronger that resilience muscle becomes. You're not just surviving; you're thriving.

The 3D Model of Life

Here's another trick. Ever tried looking at a situation from multiple angles? Different viewpoints give you a fuller picture, a 3D model of what you're dealing with. It's like piecing together a puzzle. The more perspectives you consider, the clearer the overall image becomes.

Spatial Awareness: More Than Just Where You Stand

Let's get deeper. Spatial awareness isn't just about knowing where you are; it's about understanding your relationship with everything around you. It's a different kind of sense, one that feeds your mind, not just your eyes or ears. 

Knowing where you stand in relation to your challenges gives you power. It helps you grasp the situation at hand and act with intention, not just react out of emotion. 

Storytelling and The Human Connection

When you can understand your situation deeply, you can also talk about it more effectively. Telling your story isn't just about saying what happened; it's about making other people feel what you felt. By connecting with others, your story doesn't just become a tale of survival; it turns into a beacon of hope and strength for everyone who hears it.

The Art of Reframing

The skill to reframe your challenges is perhaps the most liberating. What if the worst day of your life was actually the best day of your life, just in disguise? Reframing doesn't mean pretending something bad is good. It means finding the good that can come out of something bad.

Your Choice, Your Power

The beauty is, you get to choose. You decide if a hurdle is a stop sign or a stepping stone. You choose whether to be a victim of your circumstances or a master of your fate. And with that choice, you don't just change your life; you also inspire change in the lives of those around you.

Conclusion: Own Your Journey

So yes, what doesn't kill you can make you stronger, but only if you let it. It can teach you resilience, offer you a fuller understanding of life, and even turn you into a storyteller who inspires others. All it takes is the courage to choose, the wisdom to see, and the will to move forward. 

Life doesn't come with a manual, but it does offer choices. How you respond to what happens to you could be your most significant decision. So choose wisely. Because what doesn't kill you doesn't just make you stronger; it makes you wiser, more aware, and, most importantly, more human.

Choose to be strong. Choose to be wise. Choose to own your journey, no matter how twisted the road may be. And remember, it's not just about surviving; it's about thriving.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 3000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

Seeing the World Through Math: A Mathematical Lens for Everyday Life

As a math teacher, there's a saying I often share with my students: "To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail." For me, math is that hammer. I don't just teach equations and algebra; I see the world through a mathematical lens. It's an intriguing, all-encompassing way to make sense of our surroundings. 

Everyday Mathematics: Beyond the Obvious

Most of us are familiar with the basic math that governs our lives. Money, stocks, tipping at a restaurant – these are daily reminders that numbers play a part in everything we do. But what if I told you that math stretches its invisible tendrils into areas you've never even considered?

Consider the simple act of sending an email. You might think that if you send an email to one person, the impact is x. So if you send it to five people, the impact should be 5x, right? But it doesn't work that way. The cumulative effect isn't merely multiplied; it's expanded. It's more than five times. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Inverse Relationships: Uncovering Hidden Truths

As we delve deeper, the waters of mathematical logic become murkier and more fascinating. Inverse relationships, for instance, are everywhere. They're in the way we perceive value, the way we make decisions, and even the way we understand truth.

Here's an amusing yet profound example: the "Bike Shed Problem." Imagine a committee tasked with building a nuclear plant. You would think they would spend most of their time discussing the critical aspects, like where to place the plant. But in practice, they might spend 90% of their time discussing where to put the bike shed on the site. The seemingly inconsequential decisions consume the most time, while the pivotal choices are glossed over.

This inverse relationship between importance and attention is not only counterintuitive but also deeply revealing about human nature.

Mathematical Insights into Decision Making

The Bike Shed Problem isn't just a humorous anecdote. It's a stark illustration of how our decision-making processes are often flawed. It shows that we tend to dwell on trivialities and overlook the monumental.

In the real world, we often entrust committees with big decisions, hoping that collective wisdom will prevail. But as the Bike Shed Problem illustrates, committees can get mired in the mundane. The reality is, informed, educated individuals usually drive significant changes, both good and bad. They make the decisions that shape our world, while committees argue about the bike sheds.

Consider how many corporate boardrooms have been ensnared in minutiae while missing the big picture. Think about how many governments have become paralyzed by endless debates over trivial matters. These scenarios aren't mere happenstance; they're manifestations of mathematical principles in action.

Unintuitive Mathematics: Exploring Further Examples

Mathematics is full of surprises, and often, what seems intuitive is anything but. Take the concept of x and one over x. This relationship between a number and its reciprocal is not linear; it's inversely proportional. And these sorts of relationships aren't just confined to textbooks; they're reflected in our daily lives.

For example, consider happiness and material wealth. As wealth increases, happiness might not follow suit. There's a point of diminishing returns where more money doesn't equate to more happiness. That's an inverse relationship at work, and it's not something most of us naturally grasp.

Or think about success and effort. You might assume that doubling your efforts will lead to doubling your success. But in many endeavors, the relationship between effort and success is nonlinear. Sometimes, a small change in input leads to a massive change in output, and vice versa.

These examples illustrate that understanding mathematics is more than just solving equations. It's about recognizing the hidden patterns and structures that govern our world.

Conclusion: Embracing the Mathematical Worldview

As we've explored, math isn't confined to the classroom. It's a universal language that can help us understand everything from personal finance to human behavior.

But more than that, embracing a mathematical worldview encourages us to question our assumptions. It challenges us to look beyond the obvious and recognize the underlying principles that shape our lives.

The world, seen through the lens of math, is a place of beauty and complexity. It's a landscape where the mundane can be profound, where the intuitive can be misleading, and where the hidden truths are often the most enlightening.

So the next time you tip your waiter or decide to send an email to a friend, take a moment to appreciate the mathematics at play. And maybe, just maybe, you'll start to see the world a little differently.

Math is more than numbers and equations; it's a way of thinking, a way of living. It's a hammer that can break down complex problems into understandable parts. And in a world that often seems chaotic and confusing, that's a tool we all could use.

Whether you're investing in stocks or deciding where to build a bike shed, the principles of math are there, guiding your way. Embrace them, and you might just find that everything adds up. After all, in a world where everything can be expressed through equations and ratios, why not let math guide the way?

Further reading

If this piqued your interest, here are some books that delve into how math shapes our lives:

- "How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking" by Jordan Ellenberg

- "The Joy of x: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to Infinity" by Steven Strogatz

- "Thinking in Numbers: On Life, Love, Meaning, and Math" by Daniel Tammet

Remember, math is not a subject to be feared or dreaded; it's a gateway to understanding the universe. So pick up your hammer and start seeing the nails. It's a beautiful world out there, waiting to be understood.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 2000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

[[I'm not terribly happy with how this turned out, too chopped up, think my custom instructions are messing it up]]

A Drafting Job That Turned into Lessons for a Lifetime

I. An Unexpected Start: The Drafting Position

Life often doesn’t follow the plans we lay out. It takes unexpected turns, leading us down paths that teach us lessons more valuable than we could have ever imagined. 

I was in a transition phase, equipped with a degree in architectural engineering and a mind filled with dreams but struggling to find a job in a competitive market. Then the unexpected happened: I was offered an AutoCAD drafter position with SolarCity.

A. The Decision to Accept

The job wasn't exactly what I had been seeking. But it was a foot in the door, an opportunity in a growing industry of solar energy, and a chance to move to California, a place burgeoning with optimism and potential.

The lesson here? Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and grab an opportunity, even if it doesn’t seem perfect.

II. Growth and Progression: From Drafter to Project Manager

Once in the door, I didn't stay still. The position, which began as a drafting job, evolved quickly.

A. A Rapid Progression

In a whirlwind of six months, I moved from drafting to team lead, and then another six months saw me designing systems for people's homes. 

B. Unique Opportunities

A special team dealing with a variety of roles, including project management, customer service, and design, led me to work on a massive project with the U.S. military to retrofit military bases with solar rooftops.

The key takeaway? Growth comes quickly when you seize opportunities and embrace the chance to learn and adapt.

III. Process Evolution and Efficiency: Finding Ways to Do Better

Work isn’t just about what you do; it’s about how you do it.

A. The Challenge of Scaling

Working on 500+ homes with repetitive designs, we were faced with the need to streamline our process. This wasn't just about getting the job done but doing it efficiently and effectively.

B. Learning from Experience

The experience taught me the importance of thinking ahead, being proactive, and continually finding ways to improve the process.

IV. Beyond Solar: Transferring Skills to Teaching

The skills I acquired in those five years extended beyond the engineering and solar field.

A. Moving to a New Role

I left SolarCity and ventured into a new world – teaching. But what surprised me was how seamlessly the skills I had gained transferred into the classroom.

B. Skills That Transcend Job Titles

Managing people, communicating clearly, adapting to different scenarios, and being consistent and reliable – these were things that had shaped me at SolarCity and continued to guide me as a teacher.

V. The Big Picture: Lessons in Life and Work

The story isn't just about a job in solar energy or a transition to teaching. It’s about much more profound and universally applicable lessons.

A. Embracing the Unexpected

Life doesn't always present us with the exact opportunities we seek. But accepting something unexpected may lead to growth and lessons you never anticipated.

B. Continuous Growth

Don't be afraid to evolve, to move from one role to another, or even from one industry to another. What you learn in one place can often translate into valuable skills elsewhere.

C. The Importance of Efficiency

Understanding how to do things efficiently is a skill that goes beyond any particular job. It’s about thinking creatively, being proactive, and finding ways to do things better.

D. The Transferable Nature of Skills

Skills are often more transferable than we realize. The management and communication skills I honed in solar energy were just as applicable in a classroom setting.

VI. Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking

That job as a drafter with SolarCity turned out to be more than a job. It was a journey filled with lessons about adaptability, growth, efficiency, and the unexpected ways skills can transfer from one part of life to another.

As with any journey, the path was filled with twists and turns, surprises and insights. But looking back, it all makes sense. Each step taught me something valuable, each challenge shaped me a little more, and each success gave me the confidence to move forward.

What might seem like just a career move or a simple job decision can sometimes be a profound learning experience. You just have to be open to the lessons life is offering. Sometimes, it's the unexpected paths that lead to the most enlightening destinations.

[The following was copied and pasted from GPT-4 after I fed it a transcript of a 3 minute ramble I had recorded while walking just now and asked it to turn it into a 2000 word blog in the style of Morgan Housel]

[[I'm not terribly happy with how this turned out, too chopped up, think my custom instructions are messing it up]]

Goodhart's Law for Correlation and Causation: A Journey into Human Misunderstanding

I. Introduction - The Mystery of Measures

The world is a strange place, filled with connections and coincidences. Sometimes we link things together that shouldn't be linked, and that's where the madness begins. Today, we'll take an exploratory journey into human logic and its funny quirks, mainly focusing on Goodhart's Law, correlation, causation, and our knack for getting things spectacularly mixed up.

A. The Charm of Goodhart's Law

Imagine a world where everything we measure becomes our goal. It sounds appealing but leads to disaster, like chasing a rainbow only to find there's no pot of gold. Goodhart's Law says that when a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure. It's one of those ideas that make you stop and think.

B. The Quirkiness of Correlation vs. Causation

But there's another, equally fascinating concept that dances around human misunderstanding like a mischievous sprite: the confusion between correlation and causation. Just because two things happen together doesn't mean one is causing the other. Let's dig into this more.

II. The Weird World of Correlation and Causation - A Love Story Gone Wrong

A. Correlation vs. Causation: A Definition

In simple terms, correlation means two things move together; causation means one thing makes the other happen. Sounds simple, right? But the human mind loves to jump to conclusions, and that's where things get tangled.

B. Historical Confusions

Throughout history, people have confused correlation with causation, leading to some funny and sometimes tragic mistakes. Let's look at some examples.

III. The Illusion of Correlation - or Why Ice Cream Doesn't Cause Sunburn

A. Ice Cream and Hot Weather: A Delicious Mistake

On hot days, ice cream sales go up. So do sunburns. Does that mean ice cream causes sunburns? Of course not! But it's a classic example of how our minds can link things together in odd ways.

B. Waking Up Early and Success: A Tricky Connection

Here's another one: successful people wake up early. But does waking up early cause success? It's a complex issue, and we'll take a thorough look at why this seemingly obvious connection might not be so clear after all.

IV. Connecting with Goodhart's Law - A Weird Cousins' Reunion

Goodhart's Law and our correlation-causation mix-up might seem like separate issues, but they're like distant cousins, sharing some genetic material.

A. Goodhart's Law Revisited

Let's revisit Goodhart's Law and see how it plays with our main theme. When you target a measure, you distort it. When you target a correlation, thinking it's a cause, you're in for a surprise.

B. The Twisted Logic

This is where things get twisted. People target things thinking they're causes when they're merely correlations. Let's dive deeper into this rabbit hole and see where it leads us.

V. Real-world Applications - or How to Not Mess Up Your Life

A. The CEO Morning Mistake

Think waking up early will make you a CEO? Think again! We'll dissect this myth and understand why it's more complex than it seems.

B. The Diet Trap

Ever tried a celebrity diet? Did it work? We'll explore why copying someone else's diet might not give you the results you desire.

C. The Mystery of Happiness

Can you copy happiness? If happy people do something, does that mean you'll be happy if you do it too? We'll dive into this profound question and try to unravel the mystery.

VI. The Bigger Picture - A View from Thought Mountain

Understanding these ideas gives us a powerful new way to see the world. It's like opening a new door to a room filled with insights and wisdom.

A. Life Lessons

What can we learn from all this? We'll reflect on how these concepts can guide us in our daily lives, careers, and relationships.

B. Future Implications

What might the future hold if we all understood these ideas better? We'll dream a little and look at the potential benefits to society and ourselves.

VII. Conclusion - A Thoughtful Goodbye

Life is a complicated, tangled web of connections and misunderstandings. But we've taken a fascinating journey today, unraveling some of those knots and seeing things a bit more clearly.

Remember, just because two things happen together doesn't mean one is causing the other. It's like a cosmic joke played on the human mind. But now we're in on the secret, and we can laugh along.

Let's take this wisdom into our lives, question what we think we know, and be more thoughtful and intelligent in our choices. The world will be a better place for it, and so will we. The mystery has been unraveled, the journey complete, but the exploration of our own understanding never truly ends. Let's keep questioning, keep exploring, and keep growing, one thought at a time.