The Tim Ferriss Show

#413: Tyler Cowen on Rationality, COVID-19, Talismans, and Life on the Margins

16 snips
Mar 5, 2020
Tyler Cowen, a professor of economics at George Mason University and prolific blogger at Marginal Revolution, dives into a multitude of captivating topics. He discusses the importance of meta-rationality and engaging with diverse viewpoints, particularly in the context of COVID-19. Cowen critiques the initial pandemic responses, emphasizing the need for open information. He also explores the role of personal narratives in philanthropy, the value of immersion in language learning, and how digital footprints can reveal personality traits. Prepare for an enlightening journey through economics, decision-making, and self-discovery!
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ANECDOTE

Chess Lessons

  • Tyler Cowen learned valuable lessons from playing chess as a child, including the importance of winning and losing.
  • Chess taught him meta-rationality and honesty about performance.
INSIGHT

Meta-Rationality Defined

  • Metarationality involves understanding one's own knowledge limits and deferring to experts when appropriate.
  • People are often overconfident, while metarational individuals know when to seek better information.
ADVICE

Information Consumption

  • Building a curated Twitter feed with diverse, trusted sources is crucial for navigating information overload.
  • Be metarational, evaluate sources critically, and avoid getting swept up in dominant narratives.
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