Welcome to FS
Upgrade Yourself
Farnam Street (FS) is devoted to helping you develop an understanding of how the world really works, make better decisions, and live a better life. We address such topics as mental models, decision making, learning, reading, and the art of living.
In a world full of noise, Farnam Street is a place where you can step back and think about time-tested ideas while asking yourself questions that lead to meaningful understanding. We cover ideas from science and the humanities that will not only expand your intellectual horizons but also help you connect ideas, think in multidisciplinary ways, and explore meaning.
Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and run by Shane Parrish, we have helped millions of people master the best of what other people have already figured out.
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Recent Articles
Yes, It’s All Your Fault: Active vs. Passive Mindsets
March 18, 2019
The hard truth is that most things in your life – good and bad – are your fault. The sooner you realize that, the better things will be. Here’s how to cultivate an active mindset and take control of your life. What happens when someone repeatedly says it—whatever “it” may be—is not their fault? “It’s […]
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The Stormtrooper Problem: Why Thought Diversity Makes Us Better
March 04, 2019
Diversity of thought makes us stronger, not weaker. Without diversity we die off as a species. We can no longer adapt to changes in the environment. We need each other to survive. *** Diversity is how we survive as a species. This is a quantifiable fact easily observed in the biological world. From niches to […]
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An Investment Approach That Works
February 25, 2019
There are as many investment strategies as there are investment opportunities. Some are good; many are terrible. Here’s the one that I lean on the most when I’m looking for low risk and above average returns. Goal: An investment algorithm to lean on hard when it is available. Low-risk, long-duration, above-average returns. There are many […]
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The Great Mental Models: General Thinking Concepts
The old saying goes, “To the man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” But anyone who has done any kind of project knows a hammer often isn’t enough.
The more tools you have at your disposal, the more likely you’ll use the right tool for the job — and get it done right.
The same is true when it comes to your thinking. The quality of your outcomes depends on the mental models in your head. And most people are going through life with little more than a hammer.
Until now.
The Great Mental Models: General Thinking Concepts is the first book in The Great Mental Models series designed to upgrade your thinking with the best, most useful and powerful tools so you always have the right one on hand.
This volume details nine of the most versatile, all-purpose mental models you can use right away to improve your decision making, productivity, and how clearly you see the world. You will discover what forces govern the universe and how to focus your efforts so you can harness them to your advantage, rather than fight with them or worse yet— ignore them.
Upgrade your mental toolbox and get the first volume today!
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