One Thing!

Inspired by A. J. Jacobs when he appeared on Russ Robert's great podcast EconTalk, Ron and Ed have each been keeping a "One Thing" journal for the last few years. In this episode, they shared some of the best "One Things."

Russ Roberts had A.J. Jacobs on his podcast some time ago. Jacobs mentioned he keeps a “one thing” journal. That is the root of today’s show. Here is the background: https://www.econtalk.org/a-j-jacobs-on-thanks-a-thousand/
Here is Ed’s first one thing from October, 2018 - “Give up your illusion of control.” —The Stoics
What is Ron’s first ‘one thing’. It comes from Rabbi Lappin and one of his earlier radio shows: “What separates a religion from a tennis club? Three questions: Where did we come from? Where are we going? What are we supposed to be doing?”
Another first thing from Ron also courtesy of Rabbi Lappin: “It’s hard to succeed at something we think is morally reprehensible.”
Another one thing from Ed is from the Andy Duke book, “Thinking and Bets”. In it, she suggests if you have some stated belief then ask yourself what % do you believe your belief is true. If you can’t say “not zero” or “100” you will be able to stop thinking in absolutes.
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Another ‘one thing’ from Ron hails from Thomas Sowell: Economists don’t ask, “What do you want?” but rather, “What do you want more?”
Another ‘one thing’ from Ron also stems from Rabbi Lapin: The use of energy is a major difference between man and animals because it enables us to gain time. Let’s not forget language, clothing, and ice in our drinks.
Here’s a ‘one thing’ from Ed courtesy of Peter Thiel: There is Marxian theory that Marxism will come when interest rates reach zero.
Consider this ‘one thing’ from Ed - short but powerful: Use “I think” instead of “I feel”.
‘One thing’ from Ron: There are two types of government - bricks and stones
Another ‘one thing’ from Ron: If my pet chimp can understand what I’m doing then that’s physical. If they don’t understand what I’m doing then that’s spiritual.
Here is a ‘one thing’ from Ed. From our episode with Peter block (#183): “A clear process is only an invitation for someone to say that you are doing it wrong.”
Another ‘one thing’ from Ed which stems from Jordan Peterson: There is no correlation between virtue and intelligence.
A ‘one thing’ from Ron: Would a child rather have more material things (as an only child) or a sibling? That’s a rather profound thought, no? It probably depends on when you ask them.
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Here is a ‘one thing’ from Ed dated July 31, 2020: If you are reading a letter from the late 1700s and assumed the words mean the same thing then that they do today, you would be laughed at. But somehow folks reading the Constitution think that today.
A ‘one thing’ from Ron: Arthur Brooks is the former president of AEI and said, “How do you get down the road to serfdom? One policy at a time.”
Also from Ron and take from Rabbi Lapin: “Only acts of faith, not facts, are the most rewarding.”
A ‘one thing’ from Ed and dated February, 2021: “If you resist your destiny it drags behind you. But if you follow your destiny it guides you.”
Also from Ed (and sourced from the TSOE show #329 featuring Donald Hoffman): “Science is not dogmatic but scientists are.”
Here’s a great ‘one thing’ from Ron - “Anything random can’t happen just once.”
Here is a ‘one thing’ from Ron that comes from a Chinese saying: “The future is certain we just can’t agree on the past.” Capitalism is probably the opposite of that.
Ron’s “favorite” acronyms: DRIP - data rich, insight poor; (related to project management and workflow) FISH - first in, still here.

Here are the links we went through during the show:

Bonus Content is Available As Well

Did you know that each week after our live show, Ron and Ed take to the microphone for a bonus show? Typically, this bonus show is an extension of the live show topic (sometimes even with the same guest) and a few other pieces of news, current events, or things that have caught our attention.

This pas week was bonus episode 362 - The Three Percent. Here are a few links discussed: