Contrast to Past: Is Modern Man More Motivated than 300+ years ago?

modern man img

I was in Norway (Stavanger) and climbed two mountains last week.

It was physically challenging, because I’d done squats the day before (120 kg x 6 reps).

When we hiked up one of those mountains, my brother told me: “ifContinue Reading…

I Made Fun of the Law of Attraction And Here’s What Happened

I made fun of the law of attraction[Last updated 27th August 2019]

What if I told you I had found an easy way to get rich and successful–would you be interested in knowing more?

Sure you would.

Alright, I will indulge your curiosity.

Here’s what I’d do. . .

Continue Reading…

The Intelligent Man’s Guide to: Consumerism (Part 4: The Confused Consumer)

The Intelligent Man's Guide to: Consumerism (Part 4: The Confused Consumer)Once upon a time, James Bond was a genuine badass.

Now, James Bond is only a symbol of manliness for the confused consumer, who doesn’t have any better role models in his life.Continue Reading…

The Intelligent Man’s Guide to: Consumerism (Part 3: Brands and Social Deception)

branding brand consumer society confused consumer

Would you like to “put a tiger in your tank”?

You see, I don’t own a car. That’s why I’m asking.

Anyway, it turns out a lot of people were indeed interested in putting tigers in their tanks. Surprisingly many!

Why is that?

That’s for Ernest Dichter to know, and for you to find out. Continue Reading…

The Intelligent Man’s Guide to: Consumerism (Part 2: Progressive Obsolescence & The Secret Power of Women)

progressive obsolescence, women, christine frederickThis ad (to the right) is highly “incorrect” in modern consumer culture.

But that wasn’t the case 50+ years ago. Although it wasn’t her intention, Christine Frederick is responsible for this gradual change in culture (and advertising).

Christine Frederick was a home economist, editor of multiple papers and an advertisingContinue Reading…

The Intelligent Man’s Guide to: Consumerism (Part 1: PR and Advertising)

The Intelligent Man's Guide to: Consumerism (PR, Advertising, Culture)Alternative title:

How Culture Got Hijacked to Sell You a Bunch of Stuff You Don’t Need


Breakfast was invented to sell bacon.

The catchphrase used–and regurgitated by all the confused consumers–was the necessity of getting a “full and hearty breakfast” each morning.

This happened in the 1920s.

Later breakfast was reinvented to sellContinue Reading…

Think Like an Investor: Why Rationality Trumps High IQ

Smartass in Hindsight how to select your next investment2

I was watching a video on YouTube of Warren Buffet giving a speech and I saw this comment.

It made me snicker.Continue Reading…

Think Like an Investor: Avoid Mistakes (and why you should play the loser’s game)

avoid mistakes

“An investor needs to make very few things right as long as he avoids big mistakes.”

–Warren Buffett

Charles Ellis wrote the now famous essay The Loser’s Game in 1946. In it, he compares sports — tennis in particular — to investing.

Ellis makes the distinction between a “loser’s game” and a “winner’s game”. In tennis it looks something like this. . .Continue Reading…