korrents

← People and their mental models

swyx's mental models

2 claims swyx made fit 2 mental models. Most often: First principles, Skin in the game. Everything they said here.

Models they name

Their own words name the idea.

First principles

Reason up from what is known to be true, not from what is usually done or said.

Used by 19 others

America is a country that rewards first-principles thinkers and builders and encourages reinvention despite cynicism.

  1. swyx Writer and developer increasingly I see America as the place that rewards first principles thinkers and builders; that asks "why not?" instead of telling you why you cannot; that imperfectly supports optimism, reinvention and perseverance in spite of cynicism. What America has meant to meswyx.io · 5 Jul 2026All korrents from this piece
    Their wordsincreasingly I see America as the place that rewards first principles thinkers and builders; that asks "why not?" instead of telling you why you cannot; that imperfectly supports optimism, reinvention and perseverance in spite of cynicism.

    ↗What America has meant to meswyx.io

    5 Jul 2026

Skin in the game

Trust the judgment of people who pay for being wrong over people who only comment.

Used by 8 others

People who actively participate in a field give better commentary on it than pure observers with no stake in the outcome.

  1. swyx Writer and developer players who are also commentators give better commentary than people who are just commentators. Stock analysts who never invest have zero skin in the game. How to Thought Lead (2026)swyx.io · 14 Mar 2026All korrents from this piece
    Their wordsplayers who are also commentators give better commentary than people who are just commentators. Stock analysts who never invest have zero skin in the game.

    ↗How to Thought Lead (2026)swyx.io

    14 Mar 2026