Gabriel Weinberg's mental models

Their wordsAround 2003 I came across Charlie Munger’s 1995 speech, The Psychology of Human Misjudgment, which introduced me to how behavioral economics can be applied in business and investing. More profoundly, though, it opened my mind to the power of seeking out and applying mental models across a wide array of disciplines.

Their wordsMost of the mental models on this list are here because they are useful outside of their specific discipline. For example, use of the mental model “peak oil” isn’t restricted to an energy context.

Their wordsThe best ideas often arise when going cross-dicipline.

Their wordsThere is a much smaller set of concepts, however, that come up repeatedly in day-to-day decision making, problem solving, and truth seeking.

Their wordsI find mental models are useful to try to make sense of things and to help generate ideas. To actually be useful, however, you have to apply them in the right context at the right time. And for that to happen naturally, you have to know them well and practice using them.

Their wordsI am not endorsing any of these concepts as normatively good; I’m just saying they have repeatedly helped me explain and navigate the world.

Their wordsI wish I had learned many of these years earlier. In fact, the proximate cause for posting this was so I could more effectively answer the question I frequently get from people I work with: “what should I learn next?” If you’re trying to be generally effective, my best advice is to start with the the things on this list.