Genius Thinking Profile picture
Feb 3, 2024 16 tweets 5 min read Read on X
A "cognitive bias" is a systematic error in thinking that ruins decision-making.

The 12 most powerful cognitive biases I've found: Image
Parkinson's Law: work expands to fill the time given.

When we have more time, we tend to procrastinate and become inefficient.

A good reminder to track your tasks duration and energy level. Image
Goodhart's Law:

When a measure becomes a goal, it stops being a good measure.

I.g: Exams and standard admission shifted the focus of education.

It's no longer about the students, but about grades and pay. Image
The Curse of Knowledge:

Experts assume everyone knows what they know.

But they struggle to teach or lead effectively for those still learning.

Simplicity is an art. Image
The Bandwagon Effect:

We humans are social creatures, which has its benefits.

But there's a downside too...

We often follow the crowd without thinking, just because everyone else is doing it.

Beware of the Bandwagon Effect, it's like "groupthink" and can be risky. Image
Egocentric Bias:

We tend to think more highly of ourselves than we should.

In group activities, we overestimate our contributions compared to others. Image
Cynicism

"Cynical people may seem smarter, but research suggests they're actually less intelligent.

Deep cynicism is a defense mechanism (may results in neuroticism), not a sign of true intelligent.

Moderate dose advised. Image
Skinner's Law:

• When procrastinating, you have 2 choices:

1. Make not doing it more painful than doing it.

2. Make doing it more enjoyable than not doing it. Image
Hofstadter's Law:

Projects always take longer and cost more than you expect, even when you consider Hofstadter's Law.

Double the time, triple the cost—despite your best calculations. Image
Elon's Law:

Beat Hofstadter's Law with an insanely ambitious deadline. Even if it takes 3x longer, you're still ahead of the game.

Elon Musk missing his super deadlines is a feature, not a bug. Image
Loss Aversion

Discovered by scientists Tversky and Kahneman, it reveals that the pain of losing is stronger than the pleasure of winning.

As a result, humans will go to greater lengths to avoid losses than to pursue gains. Image
Hitchen's Razor:

Claims without evidence can't be verified. When in doubt, clarify and ask for proof. Image
The Discomfort Zone Razor:

Embrace discomfort for growth.

Seek comfort and for stagnation.

1000 uncomfortable hours > 10,000 comfortable hours. Image
Occam's Razor:

• Simple assumptions are often right.

• Don't overcomplicate things with too many assumptions. Image
If you want my collection of mental models, cognitive biases, and cognitive tendencies, grab a copy of my product here:

feynmanism.gumroad.com/l/mentalmodels
If you enjoyed this content, consider giving @feynmanism a follow and check out my Feynman Technique Notion template:

feynmanism.gumroad.com/l/feynmantechn…

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Apr 4
You've been lied to.

Historians say ancient civilizations were primitive in caves.

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Welcome to the Antikythera Mechanism: 🧵 Image
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Here is her full story: 🧵 Image
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her freedom.
her life.

This is the forgotten rise and fall of Lady Jane Grey: (THREAD)🧵 Image
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Born into Tudor England's religious chaos, was extraordinary:

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Unlike most noble ladies, she wasn't your typical girl... Image
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This man solved one of the hardest puzzles of the century.

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Everyone thought he was crazy.

Here's the forgotten story of the craziest genius mathematician everyone should know about: 🧵 Grigori Perelman writing on a chalk board.
Born in 1966 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Grigori Perelman won a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad at 16.

With a perfect score, his genius granted him a bypass of Soviet antisemitism, allowing him to study at the top university in Leningrad. Image
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Mar 31
In 1932, the US govt. began secretly watching black men die of a curable disease.

For 40 years:
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This is one of America's most disturbing experiments. Welcome to Tuskegee Experiment:🧵 Image
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In 1932, the U.S. Public Health Service recruited 600 African American men in Macon County, Alabama for a study they called "bad blood."

399 had latent syphilis. 201 were healthy controls... Image
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The men were poor sharecroppers, many unable to read or write.

Researchers offered free medical exams, meals, and burial insurance to participate... Image
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But most people never understood his motivation...🧵 Image
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