Stoic Street Smarts Newsletter Archives
I’m a former heavyweight pro-boxer (13-1-1) and alcoholic (Sobriety date 12/23/13), current writer, and aspiring chess master. I was raised in the projects by a single mom and failed high school, but I eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics.
I teach what I’ve learned from the hood, the ring, and everything in between.
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How to use Big Stick Energy to survive the Prisoner’s Dilemma
Big Stick Policy, coupled with Game Theory’s Prisoner’s Dilemma problem, provides a framework for peaceful interactions.
Stop trying to be perfect: The 70% Solution
Preparation is essential, but after a certain point, the only thing left to do is act. All you need is 70% certainty. Here’s why.
The value of hard things
Suffering a setback makes you more rigid and resilient. Thick skin is necessary if you want to survive in the world. This is why you need to do hard things.
The Roots of Online Hostility: Why is Twitter So Toxic
There are a few reasons why social media tends to be so volatile, polarizing, and abrasive. If we want to fix this, we first have to recognize the problem.
5 metaphors from physics and calculus on happiness
I’ve figured out how to be a happy person despite dealing with setbacks. Learn how to increase your happiness or get it back if you’ve been knocked down.
3 frameworks for making better decisions
Here are my three frameworks for making decisions—with a bonus fourth. Following these frameworks has made everything great in my life.
How human behavior is subject to inflation
If you’re 35 and still struggling with the challenges of a 20-year-old, you’ve lost 15 years to lifestyle inflation. You’ve gotten socially poorer.
How take advantage of weak ties in your life
“It’s not what you know, but who,” but how do we use it to our advantage? The Theory of Weak Ties is here to save the day.
11 reasons why we can’t have nice things
11 short reasons why humanity is doomed and we can’t have nice things. If we could fix even 2 of these our planet would become unrecognizable in the best way.
When It’s Time to Say Goodbye: 4 Signs a Friendship Has Run Its Course
Is it time to end a friendship? This article will tell you the four times you must cut it loose.
Confirmation Bias, Cherry-Picking, and Echo Chambers
The three-headed-dragon of cherry-picking, confirmation bias, and echo chambering make you stupid and unable to deal with reality. Learn how to defeat it.
Federal informants and diplomats: Do you know who you’re dealing with?
Some people can take your life with impunity. They won’t even be tried. This is why staying calm and always knowing who you’re dealing with is important.
The Ethics of Uncertainty, Survivors Bias, And The Law of Large Numbers
A great line from “Narcos” illustrates the law of large numbers. “The bad guys have to keep getting lucky. We only have to get lucky once.”
Expected Value: An Old Way To Make New Decisions
Learn how to use the probability concept of expected value to make better decisions, manage risk, and improve your relationships.
From 2-D for 4-D: Beyond the surface area of luck
The original concept of the “surface area of luck” is useful, but there is more to it. Read on to change your life with great serenity and better outcomes.
The Dichotomy of Control: A Street Smart Survival Tactic
Dichtomoty of control is the practice of focusing on what you can control and ignoring the rest. Learn how.
Dream Job or Pipe Dream? How to know if you’re just an amateur or a bonafide pro
“Amateurs think talent and dumb luck are big factors in achieving good outcomes. Or they believe that bad outcomes are the result of bad luck.”
Most Self-Help Is BS. How to Become Unrecognizable in Just 1 Year
The journey requires sacrifice, but the rewards are great. Avoid shortcuts that promise easy transformation. Embrace the trials that deliver real change.
The difference between being productive and busy
Are you busy wasting time or are you productive? It can be difficult to know the difference, but learn how in this article.
Art vs Business
“The best thing to do is create the highest quality product possible. Whatever you do, try to be the best at it and make sure you get better every day.”
5 steps to control your temper and stop being scared
You either control your emotions, or your emotions will control you. Learn how to control your temper for a better life.
Why you want revenge—and why you shouldn’t get it
Revenge costs you more than you think. Not only will it not make things right, it usually makes things MUCH worse. Here’s why.
How to focus better and improve concentration
Successful people use these methods to eliminate distractions, do more work in less time, overcome a lack of sleep, and increase productivity.
Your outrage makes the media rich
The media creates division because division creates engagement, and engagement drives dollars. Learn how it works and how to avoid it.
Are you tired of the sea of bullshit, scams, and hustles on the internet?
Be careful who you trust on the internet. Many are hypocrites and, in several cases, outright liars. Here’s how to know who’s real and who’s fake.
Everyone wants to live the good life
if you want a good life but are afraid to do the work required to attain it, then you’re delusional. Here’s how to stop lying to yourself and get results.
The Fear-Preparation-Familiarity Feedback Loop: How to stop being afraid of anything
The best way to deal with fear is to get ready for what you’re afraid of. Learn more about facing your fears in this article.
The Priceless Path to True Happiness—The Surprising Limits of Money and Material Possessions
Money only solves your money problems. Once your health and safety are taken care of, more money won’t do much to improve your quality of life.
The Reality of Self-Care: It’s a Process, Not a Quick Fix
Self-care is really self-improvement, and self-improvement is challenging. Here’s how to know what self-care really looks like.
Want to put your life on the fast track? Take on bigger responsibilities
The easiest to be more productive is to take on greater responsibility. This is counterintuitive, but it fuels greatness.
Why old friendships can be like scabs and scars
There comes a point in every person’s development where they outgrow old friendships. Here are the signs.
The hard way to escape the slow pull of reality’s quicksand
Your actions set things in motion in *your* universe. You create your universe the same way you create your life.
5 lessons from getting punched in the face
Getting punched in the face isn’t that bad. In fact, it can be the source of some valuable lessons. Here are five things you can learn from the experience.