The entire self-help industry in one sentence: Do what makes mornings exciting and nights peaceful.“Will this make me excited to wake up? Will this let me sleep in peace?”Everything that fails both tests is noise.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

philosophy

Philosophy

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

mindfulness

Mindfulness

mentalhealth

Mental Health

Brain Food: Exciting Mornings, Peaceful Nights

Rulers, Statesmen, Nations, are wont to be emphatically commended to the teaching which experience offers in history. But what experience and history teach is this, - that peoples and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it.

Each period is involved in such peculiar circumstances, exhibits a condition of things so strictly idiosyncratic, that its conduct must be regulated by considerations connected with itself, and itself alone.Amid the pressure of great events, a general principle gives no help. It is useless to revert to similar circumstances in the Past. The pallid shades of memory struggle in vain with the life and freedom of the Present.

Hegel is quoted as saying  that “The only thing that we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history”. Here is what he actually said, in context - since context changes everything.

Hegel wrote this classic as an introduction to a series of lectures on the &quot;philosophy of history&quot; — a novel concept in the early nineteenth century. With this work, he created the history of philosophy as a scientific study. He reveals philosophical theory as neither an accident nor an artificial construct, but as an exemplar of its age, fashioned by its antecedents and contemporary circumstances, and serving as a model for the future. The author himself appears to have regarded this book as a popular introduction to his philosophy as a whole, and it remains the most readable and accessible of all his philosophical writings. Eschewing the methods of original history (written during the period in question) and reflective history (written after the period has passed), Hegel embraces philosophic history, which employs a priori philosophical thought to interpret history as a rational process. Reason rules history, he asserts, through its infinite freedom (being self-sufficient, it depends on nothing beyond its own laws and conclusions) and power (through which it forms its own laws). Hegel argues that all of history is caused and guided by a rational process, and God's seemingly unknowable plan is rendered intelligible through philosophy. The notion that reason rules the world, he concludes, is both necessary to the practice of philosophic history and a conclusion drawn from that practice.

history

History

education

Learning & Education

books

Books

politics

Politics

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

The Philosophy of History

Cynicism is not a neutral position — and although it asks almost nothing of us, it is highly infectious and unbelievably destructive. IIn my view, it is the most common and easy of evils. I know this because much of my early life was spent holding the world and the people in it in contempt. It was a position both seductive and indulgent.

Unlike cynicism, hopefulness is hard-earned, makes demands upon us, and can often feel like the most indefensible and lonely place on Earth. Hopefulness is not a neutral position either. It is adversarial. It is the warrior emotion that can lay waste to cynicism. Each redemptive or loving act, as small as you like… keeps the devil down in the hole. It says the world and its inhabitants have value and are worth defending. It says the world is worth believing in. In time, we come to find that it is so.

communication

Communication

loveandrelationships

Love & Relationships

teamwork

Teamwork

humanresources

Human Resources

Cynicism And Hopefulness | Nick Cave

For years, we’ve heard that sugar is one of the main drivers behind the global rise in type 2 diabetes. But new research from Brigham Young University is changing the way we look at sugar. According to the findings, where our sugar comes from matters just as much as how much we consume.

Not All Sugars Are Created Equal

In the most extensive analysis of its kind, researchers from Brigham Young University and institutions in Germany examined data from over 500,000 people across multiple continents. Their discovery? Sugars from drinks like soda and even fruit juice were consistently linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Surprisingly, sugars from other sources did not show this same risk. In fact, some were even linked to a lower risk.

Sugar From Drinks VS Sugar From Solid Foods

Even after accounting for factors like body mass index, overall calorie intake, and several other lifestyle risk factors, the differences were striking:With each additional 12-oz serving of sugar-sweetened beverages (i.e., soft drinks, energy drinks, and sports drinks) per day, the risk for developing T2D increased by 25%. This strong relationship showed that the increased risk began from the very first daily serving with no minimum threshold below which intake appeared to be safe.

One 12-oz Serving Of Soft Drink = 25% Higher Risk For Diabetes

With each additional 8-oz serving of fruit juice per day (i.e., 100% fruit juice, nectars and juice drinks), the risk for developing T2D increased by 5%.Fruit juice, even with some vitamins and nutrients, is much less beneficial. Because of its high and concentrated sugar content, the researchers conclude that fruit juice is a poor substitute for whole fruits, which provide more fiber to support better blood glucose regulation.

One 8-oz Serving Of Fruit Juice = 5% Higher Risk For Diabetes

The above risks are relative not absolute. For example, if the average person’s baseline risk of developing T2D is about 10%, four sodas a day could raise that to roughly 20%, not 100%.Comparatively, 20 g/day intakes of total sucrose (table sugar) and total sugar (the sum of all naturally occurring and added sugars in the diet) showed an inverse association with T2D, hinting at a surprising protective association.

20 g/day Of Total Sucrose And Total Sugar May Even Be Protective

Why drinking sugar would be more problematic than eating sugar may come down to the differing metabolic effects. Sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice supply isolated sugars, leading to a greater glycemic impact that would overwhelm and disrupt liver metabolism, thereby increasing liver fat and insulin resistance.

The Metabolic Consequences of Liquid Sugar

On the other hand, dietary sugars consumed in or added to nutrient-dense foods, such as whole fruits, dairy products, or whole grains, do not cause metabolic overload in the liver. These embedded sugars elicit slower blood glucose responses due to accompanying fiber, fats, proteins, and other beneficial nutrients.

The Metabolic Consequences of Embedded Sugar

“This study underscores the need for even more stringent recommendations for liquid sugars such as those in sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice, as they appear to harmfully associate with metabolic health,” Karen Della Corte, lead author and BYU nutritional science professor said. “Rather than condemning all added sugars, future dietary guidelines might consider the differential effects of sugar based on its source and form.”

“Rather Than Condemn, Reconsider” Goes For Sugar As Well

A massive new study reveals that the source of sugar makes all the difference. While sugary drinks like soda and even fruit juice sharply increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, sugars in solid foods—especially nutrient-rich ones—may actually be less harmful or even protective.

food

Food

health

Health

exerciseandfitness

Exercise & Fitness

scienceandnature

Science & Nature

longevity

Longevity

Where Our Sugar Comes From Matters Just As Much As How Much We Consume

Practice until you get it right, and you’ll need perfect conditions.Practice until you can’t get it wrong, and conditions no longer matter.

Don’t let your worst moments become your story.You blow the presentation and spend the drive home scripting perfect comebacks to an audience that’s already gone. Your relationship ends, and you spend months replaying conversations that can’t be changed. All the time spent perfecting the past is stolen from the future that’s still waiting.The past is a teacher, not a judge. Your next move matters more than your last mistake.

career

Career

habits

Habits

strategy

Strategy

business

Business

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

Practice Until You Can’t Get It Wrong | Shane Parrish

Right or wrong is the output of a decision. Good or bad is the input.A good decision is based on the facts at hand when you are making it. A bad decision does not weigh in the facts and relies more on assumptions and guesses. So by making good decisions, you will be right more often. And even when you turn out to be wrong, you made the right decision based on what you knew.

Making decisions is a profession. Yet, many of us struggle with both timing and method of coming up with the right ones.

productivity

Productivity

The Difference Between A Good And A Right Decision

Shortcuts tend to accelerate effort, not replace it. Supplements and cutting edge recovery methods might speed up your progress in the gym, but they don’t replace the need to do the workout.In general, the people who benefit most from shortcuts are those who continue to practice the fundamentals consistently.

entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

startup

Startups

How The Shortcuts We Take Relate To The Effort We Make | James Clear

Benjamin Franklin grew up in working-class conditions, starting his career early on as a tradesman and then pivoting into writing for and producing newspapers. He decided he was destined for more at an early age. As such, he created 13 guiding principles on a long ship ride across the Atlantic, which shaped the path to becoming the esteemed scientist, writer, politician, and founding father over the next 50 years.

A Long Ship Ride Across The Atlantic

”Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.” Modern medicine confirms the wide variety of health benefits that come from avoiding overeating and obesity, including the promotion of longevity. Likewise, imbibing alcoholic beverages frequently contributes to an increased risk of a variety of diseases and all-cause mortality. More likely along the lines of Franklin’s thinking when creating this first principle, gluttony from food and alcohol can stifle personal productivity and diminish others’ perception of us.

Virtue #1: Temperance

“Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation .”Franklin hosted a variety of philosophical clubs throughout his life. These clubs would often involve debates and intellectual sparring between members. Franklin cut his teeth during these debates, which contributed to him evolving into the politician, diplomat, and founding father that he became. In his professional and personal life, Franklin preferred deep conversation over small talk. Social scientists have found that deeper conversational topics promote social bonding more than small talk.

Virtue #2: Silence

”Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.” Being organized in one’s physical spaces and in how one spends their time was important to Franklin. Both facets of this wisdom help us enhance personal productivity while simultaneously avoiding careless errors, such as losing an important document or missing an important business meeting. The order principle taps into the personality trait of conscientiousness, which is the strongest of the Big 5 traits in predicting success metrics.

Virtue #3: Order

“Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.” Here we see another tried and true statement about honoring one’s word. Franklin was a strong believer in commitment and performing work dutifully. Those who stick to their professional and personal commitments are held in higher regard compared to those who fail to do so.

Virtue #4: Resolution

“Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself (i.e., waste nothing).” Franklin did not tolerate financial wastefulness. He developed frugal habits early on in life. Even later in life, when Franklin was wealthy, he practiced and preached the importance of economical behavior. He often wore old robes to high-stakes political meetings (perhaps to a fault), and he was quick to instill a lesson in frugality whenever a family member requested something extravagant. Indeed, research suggests that materialistic aspirations are negatively associated with happiness and psychological health.

Virtue #5: Frugality

“Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.” The list of lifetime accomplishments on Franklin’s CV is as astonishing: He discovered electricity, understood the cause of colds (germs, not cold air), observed that exercise prevents disease and exercise intensity is more important than duration, linked illness across a variety of trades as being caused by lead poisoning, established police and firefighting systems, established a postal system between the colonies and worked as postmaster, and established the declaration of independence.

Virtue #6: Industry

“Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.” Franklin was a proponent of telling the truth above all else. Franklin was a gentlemanly politician who preferred to discuss matters cordially and thoroughly. The sincerity principle operates similarly to authenticity, a construct that describes Franklin well and is associated with increased likability.

Virtue #7: Sincerity

“Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.” Treat others fairly and fulfill your moral duties. Avoid causing physical or emotional damage to others and go further by helping others whom you consider your adversary if it is your job to do so. This principle helped Franklin serve effectively as an intermediary between the U.S. and Britain during tense times. Psychology research confirms that seeking revenge can have negative consequences, personally and socially.

Virtue #8: Justice

“Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.” The key idea here is to stay balanced in life. Franklin advocates for harmony across disciplines as evidence of the variety of accomplishments and careers he held. Social science research supports the idea that balance is important for avoiding burnout and maintaining creativity and consistency.

Virtue #9: Moderation

“Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.”Although perhaps less enlightening than the other principles, keep in mind this was before running water and the germ theory of disease. As silly as this sounds now, Franklin was forward-thinking in his cleanliness principle, which may have contributed to his significantly longer than average life. Health scientists are now unanimous in their recommendation of personal hygiene practices.

Virtue #10: Cleanliness

”Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.” Franklin was a student of Stoic philosophy. If something negative happens to you that is outside of your control, accept your bad luck and move on without brooding in negative emotions. Psychology research finds that ruminating on negative events hurts well-being and mental health.

Virtue #11: Tranquility

“Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.” This one is a bit personal to Franklin: Franklin’s first child was conceived out of wedlock to a woman who was never revealed by Franklin nor discovered by historians. Franklin was criticized for his personal indiscretion by enemies throughout his career, and it took a toll on his marriage. Recent research finds that sexual misconduct is punished even more harshly than academic misconduct (misreporting or faking data).

Virtue #12: Chastity

“Imitate Jesus and Socrates.” Practice humility by learning from wise and virtuous role models. Franklin was a lifelong learner and an astounding scholar, receiving several honorary doctoral degrees despite having zero formal education. He believed in learning from others, which aligns well with the classic psychology finding of observational learning.

Virtue #13: Humility

At the ripe old age of twenty, Benjamin Franklin created his own list of 13 virtues. His selections were ordered by importance, and he saw the earliest ones as being needed to achieve the latter ones. They were also chosen for simplicity, as each covers a small and defined area of character.

How Benjamin Franklin understood psychological principles to help guide him to an extraordinary life, and what you can learn from them.

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

13 Virtues - What Benjamin Franklin Can Teach Us About Leading A Successful And Influential Life

When my information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir?

When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?

Keynes, to whom the quote is attributed, was never afraid to change his mind. Samuelson, who some argue originated the quote, relates a joke that if the British Parliament asked six economists for an opinion on any subject, they always got seven answers — two from John Maynard Keynes.

Discover the world of business and economics.

economics

Economics

The Importance of Changing Your Mind | John Maynard Keynes

Why do we love committers but act like browsers? I think it’s because of 3 fears.First, we have a fear of regret: we worry that if we commit to something, we will later regret having not committed to something else. Second, we have a fear of association: we think that if we commit to something, we will be vulnerable to the chaos that that commitment brings to our identity, our reputation, and our sense of control. Third, we have a fear of missing out: we feel that if we commit to something, the responsibilities that come with it will prevent us from being everything, everywhere, to everyone.

Because of these three fears, the tension sticks around. We act like browsers, we love committers, and we’re too scared to make the jump—so we’re stuck.”

Brain Food: Exciting Mornings, Peaceful Nights

The Philosophy of History

Cynicism And Hopefulness | Nick Cave

Where Our Sugar Comes From Matters Just As Much As How Much We Consume

Practice Until You Can’t Get It Wrong | Shane Parrish

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