Stratechery New Defaults
Jan 5, 2021
Discover how changing default settings can drastically boost 401k participation, yet lead to unintentional investment choices. Explore Apple’s strides in user privacy and the global response to lockdowns during the pandemic. Dive into the story of a citizen journalist imprisoned for reporting on COVID-19, highlighting the tension between health measures and civil liberties. Analyze the rapid innovation behind the Moderna vaccine versus bureaucratic rollout challenges, and understand the contrasting economic approaches of China and the U.S. amidst a health crisis.
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The Power of Defaults
- Defaults are powerful, influencing choices even when alternatives exist.
- Changing defaults can significantly impact behavior, as seen in 401k participation and app tracking.
China's Control and Quarantine
- China's strict information control, exemplified by Zhang Zan's imprisonment, highlights its default approach.
- Despite initial cover-ups, China's control proved effective in containing the virus through centralized quarantines.
Individual Freedom vs. Information Control
- The West's default assumption of individual freedom clashes with the idea of centralized quarantine.
- This contrasts with increasing acceptance of information control, raising concerns about unseen opportunity costs.