Author Archives: AJ Kessler

On Travel

Posted on May 29, 2012 by AJ Kessler

When most people think about retirement, they imagine a life full of friends, hobbies, and (likely) travel. To illustrate, think about what you would do if you knew you were going to retire at 65 and die at 75.  You’d … Continue reading →

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Happiness Is Not A Reward – It’s A Consequence

Posted on May 28, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Time is your most limited resource.  You can always make more money, but you can only buy so much time.  Happiness is not a reward for giving up most of your time in exchange for money.  Happiness is a consequence … Continue reading →

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Memorial Day

Posted on May 27, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Just a reminder on this day that if you’re going to fight for something, you better make damn sure it’s worth it. Kai Chang via Ben Casnocha

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A Fool’s Life

Posted on May 26, 2012 by AJ Kessler

The fool, with all his other faults, has this also: he is always getting ready to live.

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Neil Gaiman on Life

Posted on May 25, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Great speech:

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Gambling on Discipline

Posted on May 24, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Almost all people who become successful do so because they’re able to develop discipline.  It’s not something they’re born with.  It takes practice.  Consciously doing what needs to be done now, foregoing what you’d like to be doing instead, in … Continue reading →

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How To Write, Part 3

Posted on May 23, 2012 by AJ Kessler

This one comes comes from David Mamet, perhaps the most well-known living playwright.  He wrote a memo for the writing staff on the CBS show The Unit, where he was an executive producer, reminding everyone what makes for good drama. … Continue reading →

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Clothes Make The Man

Posted on May 22, 2012 by AJ Kessler

It has long been known that clothing affects how other people perceive us as well as how we think about ourselves.  It turns out, clothing also affects the way we think. If you wear a white coat that you believe … Continue reading →

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Smart People Don’t Call Others Stupid

Posted on May 21, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Some really mostly-good advice from Derek Sivers: Being smart means thinking things through – trying to find the real answer, not the first answer. Being stupid means avoiding thinking by jumping to conclusions.Jumping to a conclusion is like quitting a game … Continue reading →

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We’re Not All Scientists

Posted on May 20, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Another nice Neil deGrasse Tyson video is going around, but he’s a bit off base on this one: I can’t think of any more human activity than conducting science experiments. Think about it — what do kids do? Young kids.  … Continue reading →

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Sugar and the Brain

Posted on May 19, 2012 by AJ Kessler

A new UCLA study indicates that a diet high in fructose impairs memory and inhibits learning in rats.  The form of the fructose doesn’t seem to matter much.  Whether the fructose comes from high-fructose corn syrup, sugar cane, or fruit, … Continue reading →

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Forgeries on the Brain

Posted on May 18, 2012 by AJ Kessler

When it comes to high art, almost nobody can tell the difference between an original and a good copy.  Even so, we overwhelmingly prefer the original.  Oxford scientists hooked up 14 volunteers to a functional MRI, and then showed them … Continue reading →

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How to Talk to Anyone And Not Be Boring

Posted on May 17, 2012 by AJ Kessler

A lot of smart, hardworking, observant, and otherwise interesting people are conversationally awkward. Even though they do and read about lots of interesting stuff, they never seem to have much to talk about. Which is weird because these are some … Continue reading →

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On Saving Time

Posted on May 16, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Treasuring the little time we have was not a new idea, even in Seneca’s day.  And, while there have been treatises more eloquently written, I haven’t seen any that drive the point home more succinctly and powerfully than Seneca.  For … Continue reading →

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Diamond Psychology

Posted on May 15, 2012 by AJ Kessler

Most people are probably aware that diamonds aren’t particularly rare and that their price is mostly a function of cartel control over the supply (De Beers) and good advertising.  While this is true, the story behind it is fascinating (and … Continue reading →

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