Fruits from my digital knowledge tree

Life lessons, emerging from my Obsidian knowledge base

Several years ago, I embarked on a journey to create what I term a “digital brain,” utilizing Obsidian to establish a dynamic knowledge base. This system evolved into a ‘knowledge tree,’ intricately capturing insights and lessons from various sources like books, podcasts, and personal experiences, all within a connected, relational context.

Building my knowledge tree

The true beauty of this system lies in its metaphorical fruit-bearing nature. The more interconnected an idea is within my knowledge base, the more prominent its node becomes. Essentially, the core insights from my learnings are not just stored; they emerge organically from this data structure. These I refer to as my:

“My core lenses to understand life”

This post will explore those key insights. The fruits from my knowledge tree. One that has been nurtured with +150 mostly non-fiction books, hours of science, economics, and philosophy podcasts, and conversations with diverse individuals.

Evolution of my actual knowledge base the last 2y

I will first present a broad overview of some key underlying concepts that drive individual behavior, group dynamics, and how they interplay. Scroll down If you want to just look at the key concepts in isolation — I listed all the insights that grew into fruits. You can recognize them in the broad overview by their bold font and (list #). This is by no means a finished product, but merely a snapshot in late 2023. The ultimate goal is to change my actions and behaviors in life as I look at it through these new lenses.

The individual — Acting vs reacting as story of elephant and rider

What drives our actions? Do we truly possess free will? How do these insights integrate into our daily lives? These questions have been central to my exploration of the individual at a micro level.

A compelling visualization for this exploration is Jonathan Haidt’s metaphor of the Elephant and Rider (1), akin to Daniel Kahneman’s concept of fast, instinctive thinking (Level 1) versus slower, deliberate thinking (Level 2). Picture your mind as a battleground between instinctive reactions (the elephant) and deliberate actions (the rider). When the elephant is startled, it often charges off, making it a Herculean task for the rider to guide or control it. This metaphor offers a powerful tool for self-understanding, improvement, and fostering compassion towards others.

Wild elephant and rider with little control over it

But what triggers the elephant’s reactions? Sensory sensations within the body. David Hume’s insight cascaded into one of the most profound updates to my belief structure. Our thoughts are primarily reactions to bodily feelings, not vice versa. Most of our thoughts are impulsive responses — the elephant sprinting in a direction, rather than the rider making a conscious choice. As Hume famously stated:

Reason is the slave of human passions — David Hume (17)

This counters the common belief that thoughts precede and dictate our emotional responses. In a previous blog post, ‘Narrations and Its Discontents’, I explored how language compresses sensory stimuli into coherent narratives, a crucial development for humanity’s ability to store and process information. However, these narratives often diverge from reality (20), particularly at what Nassim Taleb calls the ‘Platonic fold’ (16), where unexpected ‘black swan’ events occur due to a significant gap between reality and our conceptual and Plato form-like understanding. Societies have developed various techniques, including religious explanations, to mask these inconsistencies. Biologically, our brains employ cognitive dissonance (3) to maintain a consistent life narrative, generating hundreds of subconscious assumptions about the world and our intentions. Rather than engaging in these mental gymnastics, I align with Albert Camus’s perspective: accepting that clashes between our narrative and reality are inevitable, and that’s okay.

Imagine Sysiphus with a smile on his face

Cognitive dissonance simplifies our existence, allowing us to operate on autopilot while believing we are in full control. This autopilot is shaped by both nature and nurture — our inherent predispositions and how they’ve been influenced by our environment.

Acknowledging this should inspire us to act with greater compassion towards others.. As Napoleon wisely observed:

Never ascribe to malice, that what can be explained by incompetence (9)

Compassion and forgiveness

Similar to Occam’s razor (27), the simplest explanation is often the right answer. Most people don’t act with ill intent; rather, their “auto-pilot elephant” may have simply veered off course. We should view others as the same team (18), each grappling with their own life battles and striving to fulfill their basic needs according to Maslow’s hierarchy. Our personal histories shape how our elephants react. The best we can hope for is that people strive towards self-awareness, training their riders for better control of their elephants

Gaining Control: How do we enhance self-awareness and control over our reactions? My experience with a 10-day Vipassana silent meditation retreat led to a practical step plan. Firstly, it’s crucial to be aware of sensations before they trigger the elephant — a concept I like to call “Name it to tame it” (15). Next, train the rider to exert more control once the elephant is triggered. This can be achieved by consciously countering the elephant’s instinctive reactions. Shine light, don’t hide or fight (19). For instance, cold showers are an excellent exercise. Your instinct will be to flee from the discomfort, but choosing to stay under the cold water strengthens your rider’s resolve. I’ve found that this practice translates to improved control in other life aspects as well.

Tamed elephant by shining light

Mastery Through Action: Having gained control, the next question is: why is proactive action superior to reactive behavior? The strongest common denominator I found through my extensive readings in Western and Eastern philosophy, as well as sociology, is that the core driver of a meaningful and peaceful life can be summarized by the simple framework of Action > Reaction. Life, as Nietzsche frames it, is the “will to power” (10). The magic you seek lies in the work you’re avoiding (23). A peaceful life is not about being dragged around by life’s turbulent forces; it’s about being the master, not the slave. It’s not about chasing experiences but embracing (5) what life presents. Amor Fati as Nietzsche calls it .

Discipline as the Path to Freedom: Embracing the concept of mastery over your inner elephant not only grants control but also fosters discipline, which in turn creates freedom and confidence (4). How does discipline lead to freedom? By training your elephant to head in the right direction, you offload certain decisions to it, freeing up mental space. Similarly, discipline builds confidence. This confidence arises not just from the tangible outcomes of disciplined actions, like regular gym visits, but more importantly, from the ability to trust yourself. Trusting yourself to act in alignment with your values is the true foundation of confidence. If you can’t trust yourself, why should others?

Homo Duplex (7)— Balancing Individual and Group Dynamics: However, this is only part of the story. As beings with dualistic natures, we are mostly (90%) individualistic ‘monkeys’ but also partly (10%) collective ‘bees.’ In the context of the elephant and rider metaphor, our elephant becomes particularly skittish in social settings. Group situations can lead to synchronized elephants, akin to bees in a hive, which significantly increases reactive behavior. This synchronization can manifest beautifully, as in trance-like raves or harmonious choirs, or destructively, in forms of bullying and ganging-up. Understanding this duality is crucial in navigating both individual and group dynamics.

Homo duplex — 90% monkey 10% bee hive

The next section will look at learnings and lenses when it comes to groups — the emergent dynamics when scaling out individual drivers and behavior. The world of shy and sleepwalking elephants.

Groups — Sleepwalking elephant enchanters
Now, let’s turn to how groups behave — the emergent dynamics when individual behaviors scale up. It’s akin to understanding the interplay of water molecules that create complex patterns like waves. Individuals, though more unpredictable, collectively form intricate social dynamics. If everyone operated with a completely reactive brain, akin to having no rider, our actions would be as predictable as those water molecules. However, the more we engage in proactive actions and tame our elephants, the less likely we are to succumb to the emergent constraints of group dynamics.

Individuals vs group dynamics

A key framework to consider is the tendency of every group to adopt a binary view of in-group versus out-group (8). The intensity of these feelings often fluctuates together. Unfortunately, many politicians exploit this by creating an “enemy”, fostering dissent towards an out-group as a destructive but effective means of creating strong in-group unity. It’s vital to understand how much an individual’s elephant is influenced by this larger group dynamic.

Battle of the large subconscious in-group vs out-group elephants

Unfortunately, the pull of the group elephant can lead to lose-lose situations. I will shine light on two of those. Mimetic Desire (25) and Moloch (14).

Rene Girard’s theory of mimetic desire posits that our wants are often not inherently ours but are subconsciously adopted because others desire them. The real issue arises when two individuals or groups mirror each other’s desires too closely, leading to perceived competition — a phenomenon known as mimetic competition. This toxic dynamic can quickly escalate, often only to be resolved by “sacrificing” an innocent scapegoat. Girard views Jesus Christ’s story as pivotal in addressing this pattern.

Mimetic competition and the scapegoat

Traditionally, societies have channeled their internal conflicts onto a scapegoat — an individual or group blamed for various societal issues. This scapegoating temporarily restores peace and order. According to Carl Jung, this is akin to casting a collective Shadow (26). However, Girard sees a transformative moment in the narrative of Jesus Christ, who, as an innocent victim, willingly becomes the ultimate scapegoat. His crucifixion reveals the injustice of the scapegoating mechanism. By identifying with Christ, followers are called to renounce the cycle of mimetic violence and scapegoating, fostering a community based on forgiveness and shared humanity, rather than violence and exclusion. At least in theory.

Christ breaking the cycle of scapegoats

Transitioning from the concept of scapegoating driven by mimetic desire and competition, let’s explore Moloch. This ancient figure symbolizes another facet of group behavior where systemic forces trap societies in destructive patterns.

In a cinema, if one person stands to see better, it prompts the next person to stand, leading to a chain reaction where everyone ends up standing, ironically worse off than if all remained seated. This scenario is a simple illustration of a ‘Moloch trap,’ where individual actions, though rational on their own, collectively lead to a worse outcome. Such dynamics can escalate to more serious situations, like arms races, where nations keep amassing weapons for security but end up creating a more dangerous world, or even sleepwalking into world wars, where a series of defensive alliances and escalations result in a catastrophic global conflict, contrary to the interests of all involved. These complex Moloch traps often require external intervention or a radical shift in perspective to break the cycle of collective harm.

Moloch — the vortex of doom

Another insightful framework applicable to group dynamics is that of Extremistan vs Mediocristan (13). These terms represent statistical perspectives on groups. Extremistan, not a physical place nor related to extremism, is where outcomes follow a power law distribution, meaning a single event can dramatically skew the average. Mediocristan, on the other hand, aligns with a Gaussian distribution, where outcomes are more predictable and individual variations have less impact on the average. Understanding which of these realms you’re operating in is crucial, as it significantly influences how group behaviors manifest and should be interpreted.

Extremistan & Powerlaw — Mediocristan &Normal distribution

Extremistan & Power Law vs. Mediocristan & Normal Distribution: In Extremistan, events are subject to a power law distribution, where a single observation can drastically alter the group average. Take wealth in a stadium, for example. If Elon Musk were present, he would significantly skew the average wealth of the attendees. In contrast, Mediocristan operates under a Gaussian distribution, where individual variations have minimal impact on the overall average, such as in the case of average height of all the Stadidion attendees. It’s crucial to recognize that in Extremistan, past samples are less reliable for predicting the overall population, a reality increasingly prevalent in areas dominated by human influence, such as venture capital, entertainment, and social media.

A significant concern with the internet’s global connectivity is its tendency to expose us to the skewed averages of Extremistan power laws in nearly every aspect of our lives. Whenever we engage in a new hobby or interest, we find ourselves instantly measuring against the most exceptional outcomes, sourced from all over the world. This exposure to the extremes of Extremistan distorts our perception of “average” skill levels, pushing them far beyond the actual median. Such comparisons fuel a mimetic competition, setting us up for likely disappointment. This phenomenon has permeated various facets of life, ranging from physical appearance and social media engagement to hobbies and professional achievements. It’s crucial to recognize and remember that these are the realms of Extremistan, contrasting sharply with the more normalized, Gaussian distributions of Mediocristan that we usually encounter in the natural world..

One effective strategy to address group dynamics is to bring them into the open, a concept I refer to as “Shining light on them” (19). Before tackling these issues, it’s crucial to transcend the in-group vs. out-group mentality. Tim Urban’s concept of high-rung vs. low-rung (12) discussions provides a framework for this. Low-rung discussions are characterized by tribal, in-group vs. out-group dynamics, where changing one’s stance is challenging. High-rung discussions, however, elevate the conversation to a more objective, scientific level, allowing for a more accurate alignment with reality, free from the biases of our “tribal elephants.”

Tim Urban — High rung vs Low rung thinking

OAnother fascinating framework to consider in resolving group dynamics is Michael Levin’s concept of the Lightcone (11). This idea, originally intended to understand coordinated behavior in biological systems like cells, organisms, and colonies, while upholding the core premise of the will to power (10) at those separate levels. The lightcone is a way of visualizing how certain individual components can group into a positive homeostatic loop vs a self-destructive Moloch loop.

Lightcone and the homeostatic loops — Micheal Levin

To conclude, I turn to Spinoza, whose philosophy deeply resonates with me. Spinoza’s perspective diverges from traditional religious narratives by positing that everything is fundamentally the same; we are all part of nature. In his view, God is not a separate entity but the entire system itself — the ultimate homeostatic lightcone expanding in all dimensions. This concept echoes Stephen Wolfram’s Ruliad in its depiction of a unified, interconnected reality. An understanding of the world not as a collection of static entities but as a dynamic interplay of events and interactions, as suggested by Carlo Rovelli. This perspective underlines that free will is limited, and shaped by a continuous chain of preceding events and interactions.

Just as humans do, nature itself and in all its components operate under Nietzsche’s principle that:

Life is the will to power (6)

his concept suggests that all aspects of existence, from the smallest microbe to the largest societal structures, inherently strive for growth and influence. Understanding this principle helps us see the world not as a static arena but as a dynamic ecosystem where every element is continuously interacting and influencing others, shaping the ongoing narrative of existence.

This understanding of life and nature leads to four key personal lessons. First, since everything around us influences us, it’s vital to surround ourselves with positive influences that support our own ‘will to power’ — in a constructive, non-Machiavellian sense. Second, it’s essential to recognize what affects us and how. This awareness encompasses both understanding our intrinsic nature (our ‘elephant’) and the impact of group dynamics. The third lesson involves living a Stoic life: actively choosing what impacts us positively and aligning our life choices accordingly. Finally, we should draw inspiration from nature and adopt a broader perspective, encompassing ourselves, our communities, humanity, and the natural world. This expansive viewpoint allows you to transcend the artificial human concepts of “good” and “evil”.

God represents the culmination of all interactions and events, highlighting the interconnectedness of everything in the universe. This perspective underscores the idea that full free will is an illusion, as all our actions are influenced by prior occurrences, and we are all part of a larger, interconnected whole. Have compassion for your fellow humans, and fauna — marvel at the beauty and complexity of nature.

Nature is God

The fruits of knowledge:

1. Jonathan Haidt’s Elephant and Rider:

• The ‘elephant’ symbolizes our unconscious impulses, while the ‘rider’ represents our weaker locus of free will. Training the rider through discipline and equanimity strengthens our control over instinctual reactions. Here, acting signifies the rider’s influence, whereas reacting is the elephant’s domain.

2. Spinoza — Every action is in reality a reaction

• very action we perceive is, in reality, a reaction. By adopting a broader, more zoomed-out perspective, we transcend the binary framework of good versus evil. Spinoza’s view places God within nature and the universe, advocating for alignment with a deity that is an integral part of reality, as opposed to an external force. This relates to the concept of the the lightcone which can be seen as a representation of the ‘homeostatic loop,’ expanded to its utmost limits, embodying the divine

3. Cognitive Dissonance — Harmonizing Narratives with Reality

• Cognitive dissonance acts as a psychological defense mechanism, predominantly automatic and often subconscious. It ensures that our experiences align with our personal narratives, particularly where we are the heroic protagonists. Recognizing and addressing this cognitive bias is essential for maintaining a more accurate and honest perspective of ourselves and the world around us.

4. Discipline creates freedom and confidence:

• Discipline plays a pivotal role in our lives, transcending mere routine to become a source of freedom and self-assurance. The more we adhere to a disciplined approach, the more it becomes second nature, reducing the mental effort needed both to maintain it and to assuage any guilt from neglecting it. True confidence stems from this self-trust, rooted in our consistent adherence to discipline and promises made to ourselves. It’s not about grand heroics, but about being reliable to oneself and following through on commitments. If you can’t trust yourself, why would others?

5. Don’t Chace, Embrace:

• This principle, drawn from the concept of Amor Fati, advocates for a stance beyond mere equanimity. Instead of pursuing pleasure or fleeing from pain, it encourages embracing every experience with a positive outlook. This approach fosters a more balanced and fulfilling engagement with life’s diverse situations.

6. Gell-man Amnesia:

• This phenomenon occurs when reading a newspaper article on a familiar subject and realizing its inaccuracies, yet continuing to trust other articles in the same paper on unfamiliar topics. It highlights our tendency to overlook expertise gaps in information sources, leading to a skewed understanding of various subjects.

7. Homo Duplex:

• This concept explores the duality in human nature, suggesting we are mostly individualistic ‘monkeys’ (90%) but also partly collective ‘bees’ with a hive mind (10%). This dualistic perspective is crucial in understanding both individual behavior and group dynamics.

8. In-group vs out-group:

• This framework is instrumental in explaining generalizable behaviors within groups. It often leads to the casting of wider shadows and can be a powerful tool for forming connections, especially through shared suffering.

9. Incompetence vs Malice:

• The principle that we should not attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by incompetence offers a pragmatic and compassionate approach to understanding human behavior. It resonates with Occam’s razor, suggesting that the simplest explanation is often the most likely.

10. Life is the will to power:

• his philosophy suggests that the fundamental drive in life, extending from the selfish gene to microbes, animals, groups, and even cultural memes, is the pursuit of power and influence.

11. Light cone homeostatic loop:

• This model, presented by Michael Levin, illustrates how entities like cells, organs, organisms, and even social groups form coordinated behavior within a broader homeostatic loop. In a metaphorical sense, an individual’s influence can extend beyond the physical body, resembling a mother’s care extending to her family, or a meditation practice expanding one’s awareness beyond personal boundaries. This could also be an interesting approach towards AI alignment. Ensuring that we are part of the AI’s homeostatic loop

12 Low rung vs high rung:

• This framework, proposed by Tim Urban, differentiates between discussions that are tribal and attack the person (low rung) versus those that address the argument (high rung). The latter, resembling a scientist’s approach, fosters constructive debate and problem-solving.

13 Mediocristan vs Extremistan:

• This concept distinguishes between environments governed by normal distribution (Mediocristan) and those influenced by power laws (Extremistan). Recognizing whether one is operating in a Mediocristan or Extremistan scenario is crucial for accurately assessing and predicting outcomes in various situations.

14 Moloch:

• This allegory represents systemic forces that drive individuals and societies toward suboptimal outcomes. It illustrates how rational individual actions can collectively lead to a detrimental state, necessitating external intervention or a significant shift in perspective for resolution.

15 Name it to tame it

• This approach emphasizes the importance of identifying and acknowledging sensations and emotions as a means of gaining control over them. Shining light on these aspects brings clarity and facilitates healthier responses and interactions.

16 Platonic fold:

• This idea refers to the point where actual occurrences diverge significantly from our expectations, often harboring ‘black swan’ events. It highlights our frequent misunderstanding of distributions, especially when we mistakenly believe we are in the predictable realm of Mediocristan while actually operating in the unpredictable Extremistan. Recognizing this fold is crucial for preparing for and responding to unexpected events.

17 Reason is the slave of human passions:

• This perspective, rooted in David Hume’s philosophy, suggests that our thoughts are primarily responses to physical sensations. It underscores the idea that our rational mind often serves to justify or rationalize the impulses and emotions originating from our more instinctual selves.

18 Same team:

• This approach encourages viewing others not as adversaries but as fellow participants in the journey of life, each grappling with their own challenges. It promotes compassion by recognizing that given similar circumstances, we might react in the same way, influenced by our own ‘elephants.’

19 Shine light, don’t hide or fight:

• This principle advocates for bringing issues into the open rather than avoiding or confronting them aggressively. Transparency and openness in addressing problems often lead to healthier and more effective resolutions.

20 Story vs reality:

• Make absurd breakdowns between your story and reality part of your story. In Camus style, laugh and dance on the platonic fold. But as per Nassim Taleb, be aware that those black swan events happen, and don’t let them wipe you out. (take precaution that your story and reality don’t always align)

21 Strong way to manifest beliefs:

• This idea suggests that beliefs are often strongly reinforced through suffering, which post-cognitive dissonance can turn into a form of sacrifice. Recognizing the dangers of the sunk cost fallacy in this process, especially when it intersects with in-group and out-group dynamics, is vital.

22 Summarize to acknowledge:

• Effective communication, especially in discussions and negotiations, benefits greatly from summarizing and presenting the strongest version of the opposing argument. This approach, known as steelmanning, helps advance the conversation and prevent repetitive arguments.

23 The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding:

• This axiom suggests that the key to a fulfilling life lies in proactively tackling tasks and responsibilities, rather than evading them. Embracing this approach leads to personal growth and a deeper sense of accomplishment.

24 Vipassana:

• I have written a full blog on this. If I had to summarize it in one word, it would be “Equanimity”

25 Mimetic Desire:

• This concept, further explored by Rene Girard, delves into how our desires are often shaped by the unconscious emulation of others’ desires. Recognizing and understanding this dynamic is crucial in mitigating conflicts and fostering healthier individual and group relationships.

26 Shadow:

• Drawing from Carl Jung’s theories, the Shadow represents the unconscious aspects of our personality which the conscious ego does not identify with. Acknowledging and integrating our Shadow is crucial for achieving psychological wholeness and understanding the deeper aspects of our nature and behaviors.

27 Occam’s Razor:

• A principle suggesting that the simplest explanation is often the most likely, advocating for solutions that make the fewest assumptions.