Camelot Newsletter

Thinking Fast and Slow

Today we honor Daniel Kahneman by considering one of his seminal works and one of my personal favorite books; Thinking Fast and Slow. Kahneman who passed on March 27 at the age of 90, was an Israeli-American psychologist and economist known for his study of behavior economics and psychology of judgement and decision making.

In Thinking Fast and Slow Kahneman proposed a "dual process" model of human cognition, distinguishing between "System 1" (fast, intuitive thinking) and "System 2" (slow, deliberate thinking). This framework became a foundation for understanding how people make judgements and decisions. System 1 operates automatically and quickly, relying on heuristics and biases. System 2 is more effortful, analytical, and logical. However, these two systems often conflict, with System 1 making quick judgments that System 2 then has to either validate or correct.

This dual process model certainly does help to create a basis for understanding the decision making process. Upon this supposition, I would like to introduce the idea of a third and equally important system. System 3; the gut. The literal, physical gut. Also known as the mind body connection. Sometimes known as intuition. While Kahneman believed that intuitive decision making skewed toward learned bias and could not be trusted, I believe in the power of the human subconscious; the mind body connection. The “gut” feeling that something is off even though systems 1 and 2 both say otherwise. I believe that System 3 has, although not officially recognized, been responsible for many incredible insights and discoveries throughout history.

Seeing What Others Don’t by Gary Klein, speaks to the remarkable ways that we gain insights specifically. Klein observed 5 ways that we gain insights; connection, coincidences, curiosities, contradictions and creative desperation. From discovering the cause of ulcers to predicting the attack at Pearl Harbor many historic discoveries stemmed from insights derived wherein System 1 and 2 confirmed that facts were correct and yet the observer continued to feel there was something more to uncover - a transformative insight. Like Einstein feeling there was more to uncover beyond the widely accepted theories of Newtonian physics, a theory of special relativity perhaps. 😉 🚂 

Insights change how we understand, act, feel and desire. They can shift our entire paradigm and develop new frameworks for how systems 1 and 2 operate. With all three systems working in concert imagine the insights we could uncover!

Thank you Daniel Kahneman for laying a groundwork upon which we build our understanding of human cognition. Your insights are invaluable and they who contribute to the furtherance of understanding consciousness lives on forever.

As always take what you read here and explore further on your own. Self discovery is the best discovery!

In other news…

• Meta has announced changes to its rules on AI-generated content and manipulated media following criticism from its Oversight Board. Starting next month, the company said, it will label a wider range of such content, by applying a “Made with AI” badge to deepfakes. The move could lead to the social networking giant labeling more pieces of content that have the potential to be misleading. 👏 an important first step.

• The Biden administration approved the largest expansion of background checks for gun purchases in decades. Mark this as a W.

• The EU is not having it with Apple’s anti-competitive practices. Apple was fined $2 billion for violating anti-trust laws for preventing app developers from informing users about “alternative and cheaper” music services. The fine is the result of a years-long investigation stemming from an antitrust complaint by Apple Music rival Spotify. Meanwhile, the US DOJ has also filed its own lawsuit against Apple alleging Apple’s broad-based, exclusionary conduct makes it harder for Americans to switch smartphones, undermines innovation for apps, products, and services, and imposes extraordinary costs on developers, businesses, and consumers. The suit is currently moving like a herd of turtles, so we will see how this one plays out… likely years down the road once Apple has abandoned the iPhone altogether for ai microchips in our brains that let us buy apps and experiences with the literal blink of an eye. Stay tuned.

• David Chang and his company, Momofuku, have been embroiled in a controversy over their attempt to trademark "Chili Crunch," a popular condiment. This move has resulted in backlash from small business owners and others in the food industry, who argue that trademarking a common cultural term like "chili crunch" could harm fair competition and is seen as an overreach.

Turkeys and Angels

Every week brings new and exciting antics! Here I nominate one Turkey; a squawky or nefarious critter deserving of the “You are a Turkey” moniker. Because we must always bring balance to the force, an Angel will additionally be recognized for bringing laughter, love or all around goodness to the world.

This week’s Turkey: State of Arizona (y’all knew this one was coming)

The state of Arizona has rolled us back in time to the year 1864. A time when women had no voting rights and abortion was criminalized. The law put in place by the Supreme Court of Arizona this week actually predates Arizona’s statehood and provides no exceptions for rape or incest and suggests doctors could be prosecuted for aiding women. Shouts of “shame!” rang out as Republican lawmakers quickly shut down discussion on a proposed repeal. It’s archaic to say the least and a huge step backward in the fight for women’s bodily autonomy.

This week’s Angel: Rosie the Riveter!

Real-life 'Rosie the Riveters' reunited in D.C. on March 21, to win the nation's top civilian honor the Congressional Gold Medal. 🏅 

Rosie the Riveter was an allegorical cultural icon born during WWII, in the United States. “Rosies” represented the women who worked in factories and shipyards to support war efforts, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies.

"We weren't in the trenches, but we built everything that our fighting men needed," said Mae Krier, one of the original Rosies, who was 17 when she helped build bombers for Boeing in Seattle.

"At the same time, I think they (Rosies) represent more broadly what it means to step up and take action when action is required," she added. "And they can serve as an inspiration to all of us to think about what it is our time requires and what we are asked to do and to take action where we can."

Props to Mama “T” my mom for suggesting this one 👏