Gotta’ love science; it helps explain so much if you let it do its thing, even the science of the mind.
I am unsure if science can explain how you eliminate over 54% of the staff and still have an effective business enterprise, much less an organization such as the IRS. Must be more of a philosophical thing. Has revenue statistically lost that much importance?
won't be a problem until it becomes a problem. Then it will be a scramble to fix it. Fewer people just means things take longer to get done and more stuff goes under the radar.
Had some thoughts of Trump but am not letting him take up any space in my head. Can't control what he does, so I am just doing what I can and need to do.
The habits/goals bit was interesting. Atomic Habits by James Clear says close to the same thing. Start with something small and then build on it. I think habits are more successful than goals as they stay with you. Once you hit a goal, it's done. Unless your goal is to build better habits . . . .
Most in this space suggest that shaping our environment takes the least willpower, freeing up energy to channel into motivation and strategic action. Not buying cookies is a good start, but choosing a healthier alternative is even better. Too much restraint drains motivation. True success comes from shaping an environment that supports our goals.
You are right. If you just try to eliminate something, it makes that thing more desirable and chances are you will just end up eating more or doing more of it.
I agree. Personally I would call it managing our environment since you cannot always shape everything, and even if you can, you face the same obstacles when out of your environment. I know, semantics…
I'm captivated by neuroscience, philosophy, and psychology—driven to understand what makes us who we are and how society shapes our beliefs. I wrestle with the complexities of human motivation, especially our tendency to see ethics in black and white while navigating a world of gray.
In business, this moral blindness has fueled exploitation, where legality is mistaken for fairness, and profit often trumps principle. But should success come at the cost of integrity? Should we manipulate simply because we can?
Pause for a moment—have you been nudged, trolled, or subtly steered into reaffirming a belief today?
“It has always seemed strange to me... the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.”
I know the eating choices work as that’s been the way I’ve live for a number of years. I got a ba of very good cookies for Christmas, ate all of two within a three week period and gave them away before they got too stale to eat. There is no junk food in my house. That’s not to say I don’t have a weakness or two but I enjoy them creatively so they don’t adversely impact my health. As May says, deciding to make a choice(he used ethical)between totally or moderately making a change usually works better if the decision gravitates toward moderation-at least at first. Changes can always be made later. The yoga I used to practice put forward that 31 days was the best period of time to establish a sound habit.
Canada, let’s not romanticize history—you can’t claim friendship by pointing to a time when you sided with the tyrant we revolted against, a revolution that ultimately paved the way for your own freedoms. You’re welcome for the U.S. lives and tech that have helped secure and grow your nation. Meanwhile, the rest of the world can squabble over economic scraps, but here’s the hard truth: I can’t fathom why any American would back unequal trade deals that favor other countries. It’s basic economics—you don’t give away what you can’t afford. The U.S. is drowning in $36 trillion of debt, paying $1.5 trillion annually in interest alone. Social Security is barreling toward insolvency, and without population growth, that Ponzi scheme will collapse before the Boomers are gone. So, how do we stop the bleeding while still propping up the world? Let’s focus on fixing our own house first—prioritize domestic growth, renegotiate trade for fairness, and secure our fiscal future before playing global benefactor. What’s your take?
I’m keeping the faith about where we’re headed. The current team’s shaking things up, steering us off the debt-ridden crash course we’ve been on for years—way better than the hand-sitting of past administrations. Plus, optimism beats the heck out of stress and doom-scrolling over stuff we can’t control. Ties right into today’s neuroscience vibe: a positive mindset keeps our brains healthier than gloom ever could.
Gotta’ love science; it helps explain so much if you let it do its thing, even the science of the mind.
I am unsure if science can explain how you eliminate over 54% of the staff and still have an effective business enterprise, much less an organization such as the IRS. Must be more of a philosophical thing. Has revenue statistically lost that much importance?
Haven’t you heard? It’s all coming from tariffs! 😂😩😭🤬
won't be a problem until it becomes a problem. Then it will be a scramble to fix it. Fewer people just means things take longer to get done and more stuff goes under the radar.
When you are collecting revenue under the radar means you don’t collect. Especially when you’ve lost half your collectors.
Had some thoughts of Trump but am not letting him take up any space in my head. Can't control what he does, so I am just doing what I can and need to do.
The habits/goals bit was interesting. Atomic Habits by James Clear says close to the same thing. Start with something small and then build on it. I think habits are more successful than goals as they stay with you. Once you hit a goal, it's done. Unless your goal is to build better habits . . . .
Most in this space suggest that shaping our environment takes the least willpower, freeing up energy to channel into motivation and strategic action. Not buying cookies is a good start, but choosing a healthier alternative is even better. Too much restraint drains motivation. True success comes from shaping an environment that supports our goals.
You are right. If you just try to eliminate something, it makes that thing more desirable and chances are you will just end up eating more or doing more of it.
I agree. Personally I would call it managing our environment since you cannot always shape everything, and even if you can, you face the same obstacles when out of your environment. I know, semantics…
I'm captivated by neuroscience, philosophy, and psychology—driven to understand what makes us who we are and how society shapes our beliefs. I wrestle with the complexities of human motivation, especially our tendency to see ethics in black and white while navigating a world of gray.
In business, this moral blindness has fueled exploitation, where legality is mistaken for fairness, and profit often trumps principle. But should success come at the cost of integrity? Should we manipulate simply because we can?
Pause for a moment—have you been nudged, trolled, or subtly steered into reaffirming a belief today?
This, to me, is the paradox:
“It has always seemed strange to me... the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.”
- John Steinbeck
I know the eating choices work as that’s been the way I’ve live for a number of years. I got a ba of very good cookies for Christmas, ate all of two within a three week period and gave them away before they got too stale to eat. There is no junk food in my house. That’s not to say I don’t have a weakness or two but I enjoy them creatively so they don’t adversely impact my health. As May says, deciding to make a choice(he used ethical)between totally or moderately making a change usually works better if the decision gravitates toward moderation-at least at first. Changes can always be made later. The yoga I used to practice put forward that 31 days was the best period of time to establish a sound habit.
Posting this just for giggles.
https://youtu.be/tmJdbfdQC4E
Canada, let’s not romanticize history—you can’t claim friendship by pointing to a time when you sided with the tyrant we revolted against, a revolution that ultimately paved the way for your own freedoms. You’re welcome for the U.S. lives and tech that have helped secure and grow your nation. Meanwhile, the rest of the world can squabble over economic scraps, but here’s the hard truth: I can’t fathom why any American would back unequal trade deals that favor other countries. It’s basic economics—you don’t give away what you can’t afford. The U.S. is drowning in $36 trillion of debt, paying $1.5 trillion annually in interest alone. Social Security is barreling toward insolvency, and without population growth, that Ponzi scheme will collapse before the Boomers are gone. So, how do we stop the bleeding while still propping up the world? Let’s focus on fixing our own house first—prioritize domestic growth, renegotiate trade for fairness, and secure our fiscal future before playing global benefactor. What’s your take?
You’re getting part of your wish. We’re retreating from the world stage but this lot certainly won’t be fixing anything.
I’m keeping the faith about where we’re headed. The current team’s shaking things up, steering us off the debt-ridden crash course we’ve been on for years—way better than the hand-sitting of past administrations. Plus, optimism beats the heck out of stress and doom-scrolling over stuff we can’t control. Ties right into today’s neuroscience vibe: a positive mindset keeps our brains healthier than gloom ever could.
Hope is a waking dream. - Aristotle
Love this. Bought the book and looking forward to seeing Josh May's research and interpretations in more detail. Thanks for highlighting this subject!