Michael On
Michael On
numbers crowds problem
For solving a surprisingly large and varied number of problems, crowds are smarter than individuals.
numbers google algorithms
In comparison, Google is brilliant because it uses an algorithm that ranks Web pages by the number of links to them, with those links themselves valued by the number of links to their page of origin.
emotional religion atheism
Remember always that we are pattern-seeking primates who are especially adept at finding patterns with emotional meaning.
religious believe reality
...evolution is not a religious tenet, to which one swears allegiance or belief as a matter of faith.. It is a factual reality of the empirical world. Just as one would not say 'I believe in gravity," one should not proclaim 'I believe in evolution.
religious knowing tolerance
Myths, whether in written or visual form, serve a vital role of asking unanswerable questions and providing unquestionable answers. Most of us, most of the time, have a low tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty. We want to reduce the cognitive dissonance of not knowing by filling the gaps with answers. Traditionally, religious myths have served that role, but today — the age of science — science fiction is our mythology.
jesus miracle looks
When you look at all the miracles attributed to Jesus, they're all about change.
compassion deserve
Everyone deserves compassion.
culture enjoyable
For me, what makes life enjoyable is having a shared culture and shared references.
want knows
You don't want to get into doing the same thing, over and over again. I know I don't.
thumbs want
My rule of thumb is that I want to do things I'd like to go and see myself.
drama school people
When I was at drama school, I wanted to change the world, and thought I had some great wisdom to impart to people about humanity. Now that I'm older, I know enough to realise that I know nothing at all.
helping failing process
I find increasingly that the more extreme are the things going on in your life, the more cultural reference points fail you. More mythical reference points actually help, and you realise that's what myths are for. It's for human beings to process their experience in extremis.
eccentric dressers
I suppose I'm something of an eccentric dresser.
blair impersonators
I'm not a Tony Blair impersonator.