Paul Graham: The more labels you have for yourself, the dumber they make you. He says if people can't think clearly about anything that has become part of their identity, then all other things being equal, the best plan is to let as few things into your identity as possible. D. Hawk: We are built with an almost infinite capacity to believe things because the beliefs are advantageous for us to hold rather than even remotely related to the truth.
You spend years trying to learn tons of new stuff, but then look back and realize that just a few big ideas truly changed how you think and influenced most of what you believe.
Let me share a couple that had a big impact on me.