The Garden of Forking Paths

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The Lost Art of the Ideal and the Cycle of Futility
In modern discourse, we focus on the politics of the possible, with a sense of futility about real, positive change. It's time to say what we really…
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Brian Klaas
2
Representation and the Power of Randomness
A natural experiment with political lotteries points to the benefits of ensuring that candidates fully represent the demographics of their communities.
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Brian Klaas
7
A Tale of Two D-Day Cemeteries
Reflections, for Memorial Day, on my recent trip to the American — and German — military cemeteries in Normandy.
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Brian Klaas
9
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The Myth of the Secret Genius
 • Brian Klaas
3
It's the Guns.
 • Brian Klaas
6
Billionaires and the Evolution of Overconfidence
 • Brian Klaas
5
The Superb Owl and Nature's Stealth Wisdom
 • Brian Klaas
6
The "Need for Chaos" Voter
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14
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The Case for Pro-Democracy Rituals
Pro-democracy movements are missing a key political tool that authoritarian movements have perfected: the power of ritual. It's time to fight back.
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Brian Klaas
5
Evolution and Our Obsession with True Crime
Sociological theories try to explain why true crime has such a grip on modern culture. But the best explanation may be hidden in the evolutionary…
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Brian Klaas
3
Who Supports Political Violence in America?
A new political science study looks at the traits of people who support political violence in the United States. They develop a "political violence…
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Brian Klaas
3
"Knowingness" and the Politics of Ignorance
Much ink has been spilled about "polarization." Most of it ignores a major cause: the widespread, misplaced faith that we already know that which we do…
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Brian Klaas
13
Why Psychopaths Rise / Ask Me Anything
Why are psychopaths so effective at getting power? Will Trump be indicted for federal crimes? Is 81 too old to be president? And is there a better…
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Brian Klaas
2
The Billion Dollar Shack
Nauru, a tiny little belly button nation in the vast emptiness of the Pacific Ocean, is the most interesting island you've never heard of.
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Brian Klaas
4
Billionaires and the Evolution of Overconfidence
To understand billionaires, you need to understand horizontal inequality, illusory control, self-selection bias, quantified self-worth, and the…
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Brian Klaas
5
The Garden of Forking Paths
The Garden of Forking Paths
Wandering around an infinitely complex, ever changing world.
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