If you enjoy this article check out my book, I’ve made it free to help you self-quarantine: https://deponysum.com/2020/03/30/something-to-read-in-quarantine-essays-2018-to-2020/ My least favourite kind of conversation is talking to people whose goals are centred on conversations. Some examples: People who think good politics is centred on the right representations in discourse- use of the right shibboleths, avoidance of … Continue reading Ugly, self-centred conversations
Author: deponysum
Interesting political and interpersonal properties of N-Numbers of people
If you enjoy this article check out my book, I’ve made it free to help you self-quarantine: https://deponysum.com/2020/03/30/something-to-read-in-quarantine-essays-2018-to-2020/ A lifetime of observing interpersonal relationships with a sometimes weirdly clinical bent has led to the following observations about the properties of different group sizes: 2 people is obviously the smallest number of people that can have interpersonal … Continue reading Interesting political and interpersonal properties of N-Numbers of people
We now have a Substack (and it’s free)
Check it out here: https://deponysum.substack.com/
The “It’s not a zero-sum game” fallacy
If you enjoy this essay check out my free book here: Something to Read in Quarantine, Essays 2018-2020 All the time I see people saying "The economy shouldn't be modelled as exploitative or based in conflict, it's not a zero-sum game". This is junk. While the economy isn't a zero-sum game, this doesn't mean it's … Continue reading The “It’s not a zero-sum game” fallacy
How much do people care about relative income? A lot.
I was reading this article when I came across this: "By regression 2, half of the individuals in our sample would be as happy with an increase in her absolute income of 19.78 percent or less, while the incomes of all others in her country remained fixed, as they would with a doubling of the … Continue reading How much do people care about relative income? A lot.
Prejudice against the poor is as bad as racism or sexism, let’s start treating it that way.
If you enjoy this article check out my book, I've made it free to help you self-quarantine: https://deponysum.com/2020/03/30/something-to-read-in-quarantine-essays-2018-to-2020/ During the Twitter wars around the Democratic primary, a number of people felt comfortable being openly contemptful of the poor. This is not unusual, but the nature of Sanders movement, and its supposedly "progressive" opposition, meant that … Continue reading Prejudice against the poor is as bad as racism or sexism, let’s start treating it that way.
Talk to people about leftwing politics
Conversations can spread leftwing ideas. Right now we have a lot of time for conversations. People are looking for an explanation of what's going on. People are newly impoverished. People are yearning to connect. So now is a better time than any other time in my lifetime. Over my life I have moved at least … Continue reading Talk to people about leftwing politics
The interpersonal comparison is a general problem across psychology- not merely a specific problem about comparing welfare
EDIT: Today I happened to reread Angner's "Is it possible to measure happiness" and it's probably important to mention that all the basic elements of my argument can be found in Angner's article, though it isn't spelt out in quite the same way by Angner. If you're bored and want something to read check out … Continue reading The interpersonal comparison is a general problem across psychology- not merely a specific problem about comparing welfare
Order prevails in Washington
(With apologies to Rosa Luxemburg) How does the defeat of “Primary season” appear? Was it a case of raging, uncontrollable revolutionary energy colliding with an insufficiently ripe situation, or was it a case of weak and indecisive action? Both! The crisis had a dual nature. The contradiction between the powerful, decisive, aggressive offensive of the … Continue reading Order prevails in Washington
The Political Trajectory of Millenials in America
While I've got your attention check out my book here. It's free so long as you promise to respect social distancing as best as you can. On March 1st Pew research released a paper outlining the evolution of different generation's political views over time. A question that has long been dear to my heart is, … Continue reading The Political Trajectory of Millenials in America
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