The Bus Ticket Theory of Genius

Post by CarVac » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 3:17 PM UTC

SubuSS wrote: post #64

Paul seems to write about obsession as something that can be cultivated. In my personal experience, this has been either a personality trait or extreme focus and hard work because of some expected reward. For me this article feels more like a motivational speech rather than an actual theory. Anyway - my question is this: Is that an elitist thought or is obsession also one of those things anyone can do if only...?

Post by netsharc » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 3:20 PM UTC

zozbot234 wrote: post #13

arminiusreturns wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really enjoyed this article. For me, I have two main ones. Professionally, it is four freedoms computing and ways to empower people with it. Privately though, since I got out of the military, has been an obsession with geopolitics and geostrategy. You might be surprised how interrelated I increasingly think the two are.

What's it about geopolitics that makes it so interesting to you? It has always seemed like politicized BS to me. I think history shows quite well that once individuals and polities alike start on the path of pursuing/promoting some variety of economic freedom and classical liberal values (often including but not limited to what's known as liberal democracy), safety and stable cooperation become enough of a common int…

Post by lazyjones » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 3:23 PM UTC

barrkel wrote: post #105

lazyjones wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Perhaps the message is just that millions are delivered to those with a combination of luck and the freedom to pursue rationally unjustifiable interests. Where do you see that message? No luck was involved in your example, just hard work on behalf of the good players and of the Dota developers, and pursuing a hobby with passion is perfectly rational.

The luck is that that game turned out to be lucrative.

Post by lazyjones » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 3:26 PM UTC

glofish wrote: post #86

lazyjones wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Perhaps the message is just that millions are delivered to those with a combination of luck and the freedom to pursue rationally unjustifiable interests. Where do you see that message? No luck was involved in your example, just hard work on behalf of the good players and of the Dota developers, and pursuing a hobby with passion is perfectly rational.

In my interpretation of the reply, they were "lucky" in that the field took off and became economically viable to be good at it. Frankly, back 20 years ago I would have never thought that watching someone play a game would become a form of entertainment.

Post by Swizec » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 3:28 PM UTC

glofish wrote: post #86

lazyjones wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Perhaps the message is just that millions are delivered to those with a combination of luck and the freedom to pursue rationally unjustifiable interests. Where do you see that message? No luck was involved in your example, just hard work on behalf of the good players and of the Dota developers, and pursuing a hobby with passion is perfectly rational.

In my interpretation of the reply, they were "lucky" in that the field took off and became economically viable to be good at it. Frankly, back 20 years ago I would have never thought that watching someone play a game would become a form of entertainment.